BEIJING: Hit by global warming, excessive grazing and human activities, temperature in Tibet has risen continuously over the past 48 years, triggering snow melting, glacial shrinking and rising water levels in the fragile Himalayan region.

The study, based on data from 38 weather stations under the Tibet Autonomous Regional Meteorological Bureau, indicated that the average temperature in the landlocked region rose 0.32 degree Celsius every 10 years between 1961 to 2008.

In China, average temperatures rose 0.05 degree Celsius to 0.08 degree Celsius every decade, while the global level was 0.2 degree Celsius, a senior meteorologist with the bureau, Du Jun said.

Lhasa, the Tibetan capital, and the cities of Tsedang and Shiagatse experienced the sharpest rise of more than 0.3 degree Celsius every decade.

Tibet is one of the most sensitive areas to climate change, Du was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The temperature change in Tibet was a direct effect of global warming, he said, which triggered snow melting, glacial shrinking and rising water levels.

He said that other phenomena included grassland degradation, more plant diseases and insect pests, a reduction in bio-diversity and higher risks of disasters.