BEIJING — Update: July 7 In another contentious move, Unesco also approved China’s request for special recognition for a vast, traditionally Tibetan region known as Hoh Xil or Kekexili, part of the high-altitude plateau in Qinghai Province roamed by nomads. The International Campaign for Tibet, an advocacy group critical of China, challenged the move, arguing that it would bolster China’s efforts to resettle tens of thousands of Tibetan nomads into villages.

An international advocacy organization is challenging China’s effort to secure special recognition from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for a vast, traditionally Tibetan region, arguing that the designation would disrupt the lives of nomads who have roamed its fragile lands.

The region, known as Hoh Xil or Kekexili, is part of the high-altitude plateau in Qinghai Province and is twice the size of Belgium. It is home to the endangered Tibetan antelope, or chiru, whose soft fur is so coveted for luxurious shawls known as shahtoosh that poachers had nearly wiped out the species.

Unesco’s World Heritage Committee, meeting this week in Krakow, Poland, is scheduled to vote on the designation on Friday. The organization, the International Campaign for Tibet, which is critical of China, is trying, at a minimum, to delay consideration of the application to address concerns about development plans for the region.