Tokyo, November 21:

The Dalai Lama warned today that Chinese industrial polluters could damage the fragile

environment of the Tibetan highlands.

The exiled Tibetan spiritual leader said the devastation could affect hundreds of millions of people, since many of the rivers that provide Asia with drinking water originate in Tibet.

“The climate of the Tibetan plateau is high and dry, and experts say that once you damage such an environment it takes a longer period to recover than lower places. Such a place needs special care,” he said.

He blamed corrupt practices by Chinese businesses whose factories dumped waste into rivers.

“There are some restrictions in place, but government restrictions are easily ignored because of corruption,” he said. The Dalai Lama arrived in Japan last week for a nine-day visit. He has been snubbed by Japanese officials, who are trying to improve relations with China. “I do not want to create an inconvenience for anyone,” he said.