Southeast Tibet Research Articles

Habitat Degradation of Rhinopithecus bieti in Yunnan, China

Black-and-white snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus bieti) are endemic to the Trans-Himalayas in Northwest Yunnan and Southeast Tibet between the upper Yangtze and Mekong Rivers. Based on field surveys and previous reports, we identified the dark-coniferous forest, the mixed coniferous and broadleaf forest, and oak patches as suitable habitats (SH) for the monkeys. Summer grazing lands (SGL), which were made by local people cutting and burning the dark-coniferous forest at the high altitude belt, replaced SH. To have a general view of the status of the SH in Yunnan, we estimated the areas of SH and SGL from satellite images in 1997, and compared with areas estimated from aerial photo-based maps (ca. 1958). The work resulted in: 1) the area of SH was 4,169 km2 in 1997; 2) SGL was 1,923 km2; 3) during the past 40 years, the area of SH decreased by 31% (1,887 km2), and SGL increased by 204% (1,291 km2); and 4) the mean size of forest patches decreased from 15.6 to 5.4 km2. In addition, the area of SGL is positively correlated to local human population (R2 ≥ 0.53), implying that the reduction and fragmentation of habitat for Rhinopithecus bieti is a result of population growth of humans, who mostly employ traditional modes of production. Only 11 monkey groups remained in the changing habitat. Considering that forests at lower elevation were also encroached upon by farmlands in a similar way, the forest ecosystem is highly threatened. The destruction will continue unless there is a change in the mode of production in the region.

Frank Kingdon Ward's Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges: retracing the epic journey of 1924-25 in south-east Tibet

Little explored and virtually inaccessible, the Tsangpo Gorge in south-east Tibet is the world's deepest gorge. Through it twists the Yarlong Tsangpo, Tibet's great river, emerging from below on the plains of India. This is the story of its exploration and the rich plant and animal life found there. Riddle of the Tsangpo Gorges, first published in 1926, is the fascinating account of plant-hunter and explorer Frank Kingdon Ward's most important expedition. Kenneth Cox, Kenneth Storm, Jr. and Ian Baker spent over ten years retracing the route of the 1924-25 expedition and managed to reach further into this magical and only partly explored land. The book contains the original Kingdon Ward text and extensive additional material, including a history of the exploration, geography and religious significance of the area and more than 250 colour photographs with detailed captions on the plants of the area, most of which are described by Kingdon Ward in the original text. There are first person accounts of expeditions to the area by Kenneth Cox and Kenneth Storm. Jr. and a photographic essay documents, for the first time in a book, the new Hidden Falls located in the portion of the gorge left unexplored by Frank Kingdon Ward and Lord Cawdor in 1924.

The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet

The Tibetan district of Tsari with its sacred snow-covered peak of Pure Crystal Mountain has long been a place of symbolic and ritual significance for Tibetan peoples. In this book, Toni Huber provides the first thorough study of a major Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage center and cult mountain, and explores the esoteric and popular traditions of ritual there. The main focus is on the period of the 1940s and '50s, just prior to the 1959 Lhasa uprising and subsequent Tibetan diaspora into South Asia. Huber's work thus documents Tibetan life patterns and cultural traditions which have largely disappeared with the advent of Chinese colonial modernity in Tibet. In addition to the work's documentary content, Huber offers discussion and analysis of the construction and meaning of Tibetan cultural categories of space, place, and person, and the practice of ritual and organization of traditional society in relation to them.

The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet. Toni Huber

<i>The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet</i>. Toni Huber

VERMA, P. K. (ed.) 1999. Geological Studies in the Eastern Himalayas. xxiii+264 pp. Published by The Editor; distributed by Pilgrim Books Pvt. Ltd. (461 Express Tower, Azadpur Commercial Complex, Delhi 110033 India). Price RS 600.00, US $22.00, £16.00 (paperback). ISBN 81 7624 076 1.

VERMA, P. K. (ed.) 1999. Geological Studies in the Eastern Himalayas. xxiii+264 pp. Published by The Editor; distributed by Pilgrim Books Pvt. Ltd. (461 Express Tower, Azadpur Commercial Complex, Delhi 110033 India). Price RS 600.00, US $22.00, £16.00 (paperback). ISBN 81 7624 076 1. - Volume 138 Issue 4

The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet. By Toni Huber. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. xv, 297 pp. $65.00.

The Cult of Pure Crystal Mountain: Popular Pilgrimage and Visionary Landscape in Southeast Tibet. By Toni Huber. New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999. xv, 297 pp. $65.00. - Volume 58 Issue 4

Three new species of oribatid mites from Tibet, China (Acari: Oribatida)

This paper describes three new species of oribatid mites from Shergyla Mts., southeast Tibet, at elevations between 4100 and 4700 m.a.s.l. They are Oxybrachioppia glabriseta sp. nov. belonging to the family Oppiidae Grandjean and Umbellozetes squamaceus sp. nov. and U. combinatus sp. nov. belonging to the family Tegoribatidae Grandjean. The new species were collected from alpine meadow, mosses and forest litter, lichens on stones and thin soils, respectively. The holotypes are deposited in the Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China. The paratypes are deposited in Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, Beijing, China, and University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.

Tertiary deformation history of southeastern and southwestern Tibet during the Indo-Asian collision

Geologic mapping and geochronological analysis in southwest (Kailas area) and southeast (Zedong area) Tibet reveal two major episodes of Tertiary crustal shortening along the classic Indus-Tsangpo suture in the Yalu River valley. The older event occurred between ca. 30 and 24 Ma during movement along the north-dipping Gangdese thrust. The development of this thrust caused extensive denudation of the Gangdese batholith in its hanging wall and underthrusting of the Xigaze forearc strata in its footwall. Examination of timing of major tectonic events in central Asia suggests that the initiation of the Gangdese thrust was approximately coeval with the late Oligocene initiation and development of north-south shortening in the eastern Kunlun Shan of northern Tibet, the Nan Shan at the northeastern end of the Altyn Tagh fault, the western Kunlun Shan at the southwestern end of the Altyn Tagh fault, and finally the Tian Shan (north of the Tarim basin). Such regionally synchronous initiation of crustal shortening in and around the plateau may have been related to changes in convergence rate and direction between the Eurasian plate and the Indian and Pacific plates. The younger thrusting event along the Yalu River valley occurred between 19 and 10 Ma along the south-dipping Great Counter thrust system, equivalent to the locally named Renbu-Zedong thrust in southeastern Tibet, the Backthrust system in south- central Tibet, and the South Kailas thrust in southwest Tibet. The coeval development of the Great Counter thrust and the North Himalayan granite-gneiss dome belt is consistent with their development being related to thermal weakening of the north Himalayan and south Tibetan crust, due perhaps to thermal relaxation of an already thickened crust created by the early phase of collision between India and Asia or frictional heating along major thrusts, such as the Main Central thrust, beneath the Himalaya.

Tertiary diachronic extrusion and deformation of western Indochina: Structural and 40Ar/39Ar evidence from NW Thailand

The Wang Chao and Three Pagodas fault zones cut the western part of the Indochina block and run parallel to the Red River Fault. Evidence of intense ductile left‐lateral shear is found in the Lansang gneisses, which form a 5 km wide elongated core along the Wang Chao fault zone. Dating by 40Ar/39Ar shows that such deformation probably terminated around 30.5 Ma. The Wang Chao and Three Pagodas faults offset the north striking lower Mesozoic metamorphic and magmatic belt of northern Thailand. 40Ar/39Ar results suggest that this belt suffered rapid cooling in the Tertiary, probably around 23 Ma. These results imply that the extrusion of the southwestern part of Indochina occurred in the upper Eocene‐lower Oligocene. It probably induced rifting in some basins of the Gulf of Thailand and in the Malay and Mekong basins. In the Oligo‐Miocene, the continuing penetration of India into Asia culminated with the extrusion of all of Indochina along the Ailao Shan‐Red River fault. This occurred concurrently with the onset of E‐W extension more to the south. Plotting in a geographical reference frame the diachronic time spans of movement on left‐lateral faults east and southeast of Tibet implies that the northward movement of the Indian indenter successively initiated new strike‐slip faults located farther and farther north along its path.

Status of Tibet red deer

Reports of the Tibet red deer, a subspecies of Cervus elaphus, have been so few in recent years that there were fears that the animal was extinct. A survey in a mountainous region of south-east Tibet in October 1995 found evidence that a few deer survive in one small area and possibly two others in high-altitude valleys of the tributaries of the Subansiri River. The most exciting finding of the survey, however, was an estimated 200-strong population of this deer in high rolling hills near the village of Zhenqi, north of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. This is the only known viable population of the deer and, although some hunting occurs, including by professional poachers from outside Tibet, the fact that it survives is an indication of the tolerance of the local people. The Tibet Forest Bureau has agreed to fund guards and to establish a reserve for the deer in co-operation with local people.

Identification of glaciers with surge characteristics on the Tibetan Plateau

Investigations of Zelunglung and Midui Glaciers in southeast Tibet, China, indicate that they have some characteristics of surge-type glaciers. There have been two extraordinary movements of Zelunglung Glacier, one in 1950 and one in 1968. A collapse of the terminus area took place in 1984. Midui Glacier experienced extraordinary movements about 55 years ago and also in 1988. During these events, the glacier termini reached moraines formed during neoglaciation and the Little Ice Age. The advances of the two glaciers are not related to climate variation. The glaciers caused serious disasters with loss of life and property, and disruption of transportation corridors.

Identification of glaciers with surge characteristics on the Tibetan Plateau

Investigations of Zelunglung and Midui Glaciers in southeast Tibet, China, indicate that they have some characteristics of surge-type glaciers. There have been two extraordinary movements of Zelunglung Glacier, one in 1950 and one in 1968. A collapse of the terminus area took place in 1984. Midui Glacier experienced extraordinary movements about 55 years ago and also in 1988. During these events, the glacier termini reached moraines formed during neoglaciation and the Little Ice Age. The advances of the two glaciers are not related to climate variation. The glaciers caused serious disasters with loss of life and property, and disruption of transportation corridors.

Medicine in Tibet

Traditional medicine has been practiced in Tibet since the seventh century A.D., with the first hospital built at Melung in southeast Tibet between 708-833 A.D. Medical clinics were formed in the large monasteries, and the first medical college was built on the Chakpori (Iron Hill) in 1696 opposite the Potala in Lhasa. In 1916, the Mendzekhang (House of Medicine and Astronomy) was constructed near the Jhokang and remains the main centre for teaching traditional medicine in Tibet. Western medicine, introduced by the Chinese, is practiced in regional hospitals and by teams of traveling doctors which visit remote areas. High altitude studies are centered at the High Altitude Medical Research Institute in Xining and the Institute of Medical Science in Lhasa, whilst groups from the Academia Sinica Institute of Physiology in Shanghai have carried out fundamental work in association with Chinese expeditions to Tibet. Medicine in Tibet has followed traditional and western paths. Traditional medicine is closely linked to Buddhism, and contains many elements of the traditional medicine of India, whilst Chinese medicine has also had a considerable influence [1,2]. In the seventh century A.D., the Queen of Tibet, a Chinese Princess, brought with her from China to Lhasa a medical text. Three doctors, from India, China, and Persia, were invited to the court of the King of Tibet to translate the book into Tibetan. After the completion of their individual translations, a final version was agreed upon and named 'the weapon of the fearless one'. The final version consisted of seven chapters and became the standard medical text which was presented to the king. The Indian and Chinese doctors left Lhasa, but the Persian physician, Dr Galenos (either a Persian translation or pen name adopted by the doctor) remained and became Court Physician. He settled in Lhasa and had three sons, each of whom became a physician. The eldest was sent to the province of Tsang, whose capital is Shigatse, the middl.e one to south Tibet, and the youngest remained with his father in Lhasa. Each continued to practice medicine, as did an increasing number of Tibetans. Over the years, other medical texts were written and a code of conduct evolved, with one Court Physician, Champashila, acting as Regent of Tibet for a period. By the eighth century, an increasing number of non-Tibetan medical texts were being used, and doctors from different countries were again invited to Lhasa to produce individual translations. They came from India, Kashmir, China, Persia, Guze, Dolpo and Nepal, and their final work was used as the basis for training Tibetan doctors. Emphasis was placed on medicine. Except for minor procedures, surgery was banished following the death of the mother of one of Tibet's kings after an operation to lessen a 'water swelling' around the heart. It was during this period that Tibet had an outstanding physician, Yutok Yontan Gonpo, now considered to be the founder of traditional Tibe­ tan medicine.

Tibet: human and medical geography

The Tibetans probably originated in south-east Tibet, and are currently comprised largely of agriculturalists and nomads. In the 18th Century, about 20% were monks. Persons live at altitudes from 3600 m to 5400 m. This may be a factor in the incidence of chronic mountain sickness. Cold is combated by cultural methods, although some lamas are able to ‘warm without fire.’ Acute mountain sickness is well recognised. A low birth weight is common and menarche is delayed; age span does not appear to be increased. Goitre, measles, venereal diseases, chest infections and leprosy are common. Congenital cardiac abnormalities and pulmonary hypertension are often associated with systemic hypertension.

India and Southeast Asia in Gondwanaland fit

Abstract The fit and configuration of India and Southeast Asia vis-a-vis Australia—Antarctica are critically analysed together with the evolutionary history of the Himalaya. Peninsular India, Himalaya, Tibet and Southeast Asia appear to be tied up with the development of Paleozoic-Mesozoic peripheral “Gondwanide” and Mesozoic-Cenozoic Alpine-Himalayan-Indonesian orogenic belts. Southeast Asia and Tibet are usually included within Cathaysia-Laurasia. The extent of the Tethys, separating Gondwanaland from the latter, thus appears to be much narrower than commonly believed. An alternative Gondwanaland reconstruction is proposed, placing India amidst a proto-Indian Ocean adjacent to Africa, but separated from Antarctica-Australia.

The Chromosomes of Milula spicata (Liliaceae)

Summary. The monotypic genus Milula spicata from the Himalayan region has been examined cytologically, and the results compared with Allium. Milula Prain in Sci. Mem. Med. Offic. Army Ind. 9: 56 (1895) is a monotypic genus of the Liliaceae. According to current literature (Stearn, 1960) and the specimens in the Kew Herbarium we know that Milula spicata Prain, op. cit.: 57 (1895) occurs in the Himalayas, Central and North Nepal and South East Tibet. This genus is similar to the genus Allium L. but differs in its spicate inflorescence and in its perianth segments which are fused. During studies on the cytology of Allium species in Turkey which I have carried out at the Jodrell Laboratory, attention was drawn to the fact that there was no knowledge about the chromosome number or the karyotype of this genus (Fedorov, 1969; Moore, 1973, 1974), and this note presents the results of a cytological investigation into this taxon. Studies were carried out on the two specimens shown below, the vouchers of which are lodged in the

Polyphase deformation history of the “Tibetan Sedimentary Sequence” in the Himalayan chain (South-East Tibet)

DOI = 10.3126/hjs.v5i7.1285 Himalayan Journal of Sciences Vol.5(7) (Special Issue) 2008 p.91

Notes on the Climate of the South Chinese-Tibetan Borderland

E XCEPT on the east, where the Great Snokvy Range (Ta Hsiieh Shan), towering above the Red Basin of Szechwan, limits our region, it is incapable of precise delimitation. It is indeed a transitional land. As Weigold says,1 we are here dealing with no clearly defined conception, whether from the geographical, climatological, political, or biological aspect. For convenience the region may be called southeast Tibet. Roughly the area is that of the province of Sikang, the southern part of Nearer Tibet.2 Relief plays a fundamental role. To the west lies High Tibet, a great plateau some I5,000-17,000 feet high, with rolling grasslands and streams flowing in shallow, swampy valleys. In the east it is somewhat lower, averaging I3,000 feet; and here the upper Yangtze, the Mekong, the Salween, and smaller streams have carved huge subparallel gorges in a direction roughly north-northwest-southsoutheast. This lower, much dissected plateau, with its gorges and occasional mountain ranges, this of deep corrosions to use the picturesque words of J. H. Edgar3-is the subject of this paper. The western boundary lies roughly in about longitude 990 E., where the upper Yangtze follows an almost meridional course past Batang, and where the relatively little dissected higher plateau to the west gives place to the much dissected plateau to the east. In the south the boundary is ragged-the dissected belt where the plateau of southeastern Tibet gives place to the lower Yunnan plateau, some 6500 feet in average height. On the east the Great Snowy Mountains, the culminating summit of which is the 24,900-foot Minya Konka,4 form an unequivocal boundary; on the northeast the boundary reaches approximately to Sungpan and the upper Min River. In the north there is again difficulty. North of a line extending roughly through Sungpan, Kantse, Derge, and Chamdo, dissected though the topography is, the great gorges characteristic of our region are absent; the altitude of the plateau increases, tiny agricultural oases are virtually absent, and one enters the land of the independent Ngolocks. As WATeigold suggests, the northern part of southeastern Tibet is pretty well that of the former Tibetan province of Kham.