Deep in the shifting dunes of the Taklamakan Desert in Yutian County in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region on the Chinese mainland, sand is a resource, not a menace.
"Sand is a good thing too. Don't hate it—learn to love it," says Jia Cunpeng, Party Secretary of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau, who has spent more than a decade transforming vast stretches of sandy wasteland into productive land.
Under Jia's leadership, teams level rolling dunes and sow drought-resistant medicinal herbs that take root and anchor the soil. These plants not only curb advancing sands but also offer an economic lifeline to local communities. By harvesting valuable herbs, residents find income where once only dust blew.
This novel approach to desertification marries ecological restoration with sustainable development. As the barren landscape gives way to swaths of green, researchers and policymakers are watching, hopeful that Yutian's experiment can inform similar efforts across desert regions worldwide.
Through patience, collaboration, and a fresh perspective on nature's challenges, Jia's work offers proof that even the harshest environments can yield hidden treasures.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
