Turning the Tide on Desertification
During the Chinese mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan, green has emerged as a defining theme in development. In Zhongwei, Ningxia, officials and local communities embarked on an ambitious experiment: encircling the vast Tengger Desert with a 153-kilometer living barrier.
A Barrier of Life
This edge-locking project planted drought-resistant shrubs, trees, and grasses along the desert’s fringe. Satellite monitoring reveals that over the last three years, vegetation coverage in the belt has grown by 30%, halting sandstorms and cutting soil erosion in half.
From Retreat to Coexistence
Local herders report fewer days of drifting dunes, while eco-tour operators are designing guided treks through newly green patches. "It's the wisdom of living with the land," says a community leader, "where humans advance, the desert retreats." Now, they are experimenting with seasonal grazing and agroforestry to nurture a model of balance.
Lessons for the World
Ningxia’s green miracle offers a blueprint for other arid regions facing climate challenges. Data-driven insights, community-led stewardship, and smart species selection have turned barren sands into a corridor of life. This story reminds young global citizens that innovative solutions can blossom in the most unlikely places.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
