"They wanted to protect the grasslands," said Tsende, who like many ethnic Tibetans uses only one name.

But the events of recent weeks are a reminder of the fervor he inspires among the six million ethnic Tibetans.

This was considered to be a high profile post for an ethnic Tibetan at the time.

Litang's population is now around 50,000 people, 94 percent of them ethnic Tibetans, according to official statistics.

The surrounding area is made up of rolling grasslands and populated by ethnic Tibetans.

Education of ethnic Tibetans is subsidized by the government.

Tuition fees for ethnic Tibetans from primary school through college are completely subsidized by the central government.

These findings are in conflict with a 1954 Chinese census report that counted ethnic Tibetans.

Congress and the Administration protested that the project would help China dilute the presence of ethnic Tibetans in the area.

Nebuka claims that ethnic Tibetans fear and worship the bear as a supernatural being.