LHASA - Residents of southwest China's Tibet autonomous region have been mobilized for government-paid patrolling jobs to protect the ecosystem on the "roof of the world."The regional environmental department said on Monday that the government has created 620,000 jobs for forest wardens, patrollers in water source conservation areas and wildlife preservation workers.The department's figures suggested that since 2004, the regional government has spent 19.2 billion yuan (2.9 billion US dollars) to subsidize environmental jobs.All 3 million Tibetan residents can volunteer to choose these jobs, and most of them opt to do the work part time, according to the department.Purbu, 51, of Gyibo village in Xigaze city is a forest patroller responsible for reporting fire hazards.The cargo truck driver just spent 1 million yuan to build a new house. He said the annual pay of 6,000 yuan for patrolling does not matter much to him, but he is willing to patrol in the winter, when the fire risk is high."We have depended on the forest to live for generations. The government pays to have it protected. How could we not do something?" he said.The city's virgin forest, located 4,600 meters above sea level, yields abundant resources for farmers like Purbu.Qiao Liwen, a 12-year-old primary school student in Lhasa, the regional capital, is among the youngest patrollers.She and other students at Nanmuxiang Primary School pick up garbage on the street and throw it into a garbage classification and recycling station at the school, which they call the "Green Bank." event wristbandsrubber arm bandsrubber braceletswrist band coupon codebat fidget spinnermotivational bracelets for athletesrubber bracelets cheapfabric festival wristbandscustom fidgetcustom rubber wristbandsdesign rubber braceletsfestival wristband clasphow to take off festival wristbandpaper wristbands ukwristband keychain
GENEVA - The 71st World Health Assembly (WHA), which closed on Saturday, has endorsed an action plan to counter worldwide declining physical activity, especially among young people where 81 percent of adolescents aged 11-17 years do not meet global recommendations.Member States endorsed the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Physical Activity (GAPPA) at the May 21-26 WHA here on the 70th anniversary of the WHO.You approved our new Global Action Plan for Physical Activity, which is essential for our fight against noncommunicable diseases, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus WHO Director-General in his closing speech at the WHA on Saturday.He noted that the WHA held a very successful Walk the Talk event, and regular yoga sessions during committee meetings that helped liven up the assembly and are important statements that we practice what we preach.GAPPA is a new initiative aimed at increasing participation in physical activity by people of all ages and ability to promote health and beat noncommunicable diseases.These include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and support improved mental health and quality of life.WHO says that worldwide, 23 percent of adults and 81 percent of adolescents aged 11-17 years do not meet the global recommendations for physical activity.Prevalence of inactivity is as high as 80 percent in some adult populations influenced by changing patterns of transportation, use of technology, urbanization, and cultural values.GAPPA provides countries with a prioritized list of policy actions to address the multiple cultural, environmental and individual determinants of physical inactivity.These actions are connected to four objectives that focus on creating active societies, environments, active people and active systems.The plan's goal is a 15 percent reduction in the global prevalence of physical inactivity in adults and in adolescents by 2030.WHO defines physical activity as any bodily movement produced by skeletal muscle that requires energy expenditure.It can be undertaken in many ways: walking, cycling, sports and active forms of recreation (e.g. dance, yoga, tai chi, weight training) are common types.Physical activity can also be undertaken as part of work (e.g. lifting, carrying or other active tasks) and as part of paid or unpaid domestic tasks around the home (e.g. cleaning, carrying and care duties).Sedentary behavior is defined as any waking activity characterized by low energy expenditure, such as sitting, reclining or lying down.WHO says recent evidence indicates that high levels of continuous sedentary behavior (such as sitting for long periods of time) are associated with abnormal glucose metabolism and cardio-metabolic morbidity, as well as overall mortality.
