LHASA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region has invested heavily in protecting its environment over the past five years, the regional government said Thursday.

The region has spent a total of 25.4 billion yuan (4 billion U.S. dollars) on eco-compensation to local residents for protecting the plateau's forests, meadows, and wetlands.

The regional now has 47 nature reserves, as well as 10 role model counties, 173 role model townships and 1,924 role model villages for having the best ecological systems.

Environmental law enforcement has also been intensified. Over 60 regulations concerning ecological protection have been introduced. Authorities investigated nearly 1,000 cases of environmental breaches.