China to spend $2.63B on Tibetan ecology

BEIJING, July 16 (UPI) -- China, which has controlled Tibet since the 1950s, said Monday it will spend $2.63 billion over 20 years on several projects to protect the region's ecosystem. The projects will include construction of nature reserves, protection of natural forests, restoration of grassland and pastures and prevention of desertification, the official Xinhua news agency reported.