The rapid expansion of China’s military presence in Tibet is raising alarm over its severe environmental consequences, according to a new report by the Stockholm-based Institute for Security and Development Policy (ISDP). The study highlights how militarization of the Tibetan Plateau is endangering fragile ecosystems, undermining water security, and destabilizing regional climate systems.

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has expanded from initial deployments in the 1950s to a sophisticated military network in Tibet, with 70,000–120,000 troops stationed across the plateau, including up to 50,000 in the Tibet Military District, the report said. Satellite imagery shows a dense spread of military installations and bases along borders and transport routes, contributing to widespread environmental stress.

Tibet is home to the world’s largest high-altitude permafrost region, covering over one million sq. km and serving as a vital carbon sink and regulator of Asia’s hydrological systems. Field studies indicate that military construction has accelerated permafrost degradation, with ground temperatures rising by 0.1–0.5°C annually over the past three decades. This not only disrupts local ecosystems but also releases greenhouse gases, intensifying global warming.

The ISDP report calls for urgent reforms in military planning to protect Tibet’s environment. It recommends ecological sensitivity mapping to exclude 35,000 sq. km of vulnerable terrain from intensive military use, stricter environmental standards for construction, and mandatory ecological restoration following military exercises. Sustainable solutions such as energy-efficient bases, advanced waste treatment, and permafrost protection systems are also emphasized.

The report concludes that safeguarding Tibet’s environment is essential for Asia’s water security and global climate balance. It urges China to enhance transparency, engage with NGOs, and adopt cross-border cooperation to address shared environmental risks.