A motorcade relocating villagers is on its way to the new homes in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Sunday. (Photo/Xinhua)

LHASA - Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region is carrying out its first relocation program for villagers living in high-altitude nature reserve, with around 1,100 villagers moving in their new homes on Monday.

Photo taken on Monday shows houses at the relocation site in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region. (Photo/Xinhua)

Residents from two villages located in Qiangtang national nature reserve at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters completed their two-day journey and settled at an area 27 kilometers from the regional capital Lhasa, at an altitude of 3,800 meters.

Residents at relocation site welcome newcomers in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Monday. (Photo/Xinhua)

"In the previous location, there are little oxygen and public facilities, and life expectancy is lower than the region's average," said Dzongga, deputy head of the regional forestry bureau.

An 81-year-old woman and her family members relocate to their new home in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Monday. (Photo/Xinhua)

The relocation program helps to improve local people's lives and reduce human activities that might harm the fragile environment in the nature reserve, Dzongga said.

A pregnant woman, along with her family member, is on her way to her new home in Lhasa, Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region, on Sunday. (Photo/Xinhua)

The regional government spent 226 million yuan (around $35.1 million) on the relocation program, building houses, kindergartens and public facilities as well as offering subsidies for villagers.