The environmental problems is very serious in China's western nationality areas, which have hindered the sustainable economic development. Due to the exceeding development and destroy on natural resources, the concept of sustainable environmental and economic development has been recognized and accepted by most countries. The article analyses the serious environmental problems and its reasons in western nationality areas, examines the relationships between environmental protection and economic development. The author of the article argues that sustainable development is an alternative way for the win-win situation between environmental protection and economic development in western nationality areas and puts forward some countermeasures.