URUMQI, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) — After decades of effort, a 3,046-kilometer green belt now fully encircles the Taklimakan Desert, China’s largest desert, offering hope for environmental recovery. The green belt, completed in November 2023, is the result of China’s ambitious Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the world’s largest afforestation initiative aimed at combating desertification.
Launched in 1978, the program is part of a long-term plan to control desert expansion, and by 2050, it is expected to cover over 4 million square kilometers—about 42.4% of China’s total land area. Over the past 46 years, the program has expanded China’s forested areas by 32 million hectares, significantly increasing the forest coverage rate from 5.05% to 13.84%.
Saydi Emin, a farmer living on the southern edge of the desert, recalls the constant threat of sandstorms that damaged his crops and disrupted his livelihood. With the recent completion of desert control projects in Xinjiang, Emin now sees a future free from these risks.
Tackling Desertification with Green Infrastructure
The Taklimakan Desert, spanning 337,600 square kilometers, is the world’s second-largest drifting desert. Its encroachment has long threatened surrounding farmland, roads, and water sources, with sand dunes moving several meters each year. However, the green belt, which began in the late 1970s, is slowly reversing these threats.
As of 2023, a 2,761-kilometer stretch of the green belt has connected various oases across Xinjiang. The final 285 kilometers, the most challenging section due to intense winds and sandstorms, is now being completed through targeted, scientific interventions.
Xinjiang’s forestry and grassland bureau director, Tuhti Rahman, emphasized that the green belt is essential for stabilizing agricultural production, improving urban living conditions, and boosting the region’s economy. He also noted that the project showcases China’s innovative approach to ecological restoration, providing valuable lessons for global efforts to combat desertification.
Technological Innovation in Desert Control
Efforts to control desertification in Xinjiang’s Taklimakan region include innovative measures tailored to local conditions. For example, in Minfeng County, bulldozers are used to level land before installing drip irrigation and planting tamarisk trees, a method known as biological desert control.
In Pishan County, engineers have built upright sand barriers to prevent shifting dunes from burying crops. These barriers are proving more effective than traditional straw checkerboards, which were easily buried by the sand.
In Hotan Prefecture, a combination of solar power and agriculture is being used to stabilize the sand. Photovoltaic panels reduce wind speed, while drought-resistant plants are cultivated below, benefiting both the environment and local farmers.
Additionally, a domestically developed intelligent robot has been introduced in Qiemo County to plant vegetation in the desert. The robot can plant seedlings much faster than human labor, boosting efficiency and reducing the manual effort required.
Economic Benefits for Local Communities
The green belt’s success also benefits local communities. In Minfeng County, residents are planting tamarisk trees and grafting them with cistanche, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, to generate additional income. In Lop County, over 690 households are involved in desert reclamation, with the government providing subsidies based on plant survival rates.
Local authorities in Hotan have promoted the development of desert-based industries, introducing new crops like Chinese medicinal herbs and forage plants. These initiatives are helping farmers improve their livelihoods while combating desertification. Over 30 crop varieties are currently being tested for their suitability to the region’s conditions.
Saydi Emin, who has seen his cotton yields improve and sandstorms decrease, is optimistic about the future. “The environment has significantly improved, and I believe my life will be better,” he said, reflecting on the positive impact of desert management and the potential for future agricultural growth.
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