China's Military Expansion in Tibet Threatens Fragile Himalayan Ecosystem: ISDP Report
New Delhi, August 21, 2025 – China's growing military presence on the Tibetan Plateau is causing severe damage to the fragile Himalayan environment and poses a threat to regional water and climate security. This revelation comes from a new report published by the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP), as highlighted by the English news portal Phayul.
The report, titled “The Ecological Cost of Security: Military Development and Environmental Change in Tibet,” cautions that the swift militarization of the region is intensifying environmental damage, with consequences that extend far beyond the immediate area.
The Tibetan Plateau, home to Asia’s largest glaciers and permafrost reserves, is experiencing an annual ground temperature rise between 0.1°C to 0.5°C. ISDP highlights that the construction of roads, tunnels, airstrips, and military bases in permafrost areas is accelerating its melting, leading to the release of greenhouse gases and disturbing crucial water systems.
Massive Troop Deployment:
Since the initial deployments in the 1950s, China has expanded its military presence to form an extensive network throughout Tibet. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maintains a significant military presence in the Tibetan region, with troop numbers estimated to range from 70,000 to 120,000. Of these, nearly 40,000 to 50,000 soldiers are believed to be positioned directly within Tibet, according to data from the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
The ISDP report warns that while this infrastructure may enhance China’s strategic strength, the environmental costs are severe — contributing to regional instability and global climate disruption.
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