LHASA, May 13 (Xinhua) -- Drones are being employed to help protect the environment in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

A "drone inspection team" has been established in Nyingchi Prefecture, the first such inspection team in the region. The team consists of four drones and will inspect areas such as drinking water sources, mines, forests, natural reserves and villages.

The drones will also be used to obtain evidence for litigation cases concerning public interests, including the illegal occupation of land and forest damage.

The wide coverage, location accuracy, aerial photography and panoramic scanning functions of drones will be quite effective in cases regarding environmental protection, according to local authorities.