Inner Mongolia launches Ambitious Desert Control Project
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Published: Febuary 28, 2025
Alxa League, Inner Mongolia, has launched an ambitious project too combat desertification, aiming to “lock” the Badain jilin, Tengger, adn Ulanbu deserts. the 2025 “Three Norths” sixth phase of sand control project,officially launched on February 28th,includes a “dragon joint” battle to create forest and grass locking belts. This initiative builds upon four decades of effort, during which nearly 100 million mu have been treated to prevent and control sand in the Gobi desert. The project aims to create a 1,856-kilometer sand-proof barrier, a monumental undertaking to reshape the landscape and protect vulnerable communities.
Desertification poses a significant threat to ecosystems and livelihoods worldwide. The expansion of deserts can lead to loss of arable land, displacement of communities, and increased poverty.Inner Mongolia,located in northern China,is particularly vulnerable to desertification due to its arid climate and fragile ecosystems. The “Three Norths” project represents a significant investment in ecological restoration and sustainable progress.
The launch event, held at the intersection of the Badain jilin and Tengger Deserts, saw enthusiastic participants planting saxal saplings.drones and seeders were also deployed across the vast desert landscape, signifying a large-scale, coordinated effort. This project represents a significant escalation in Alxa League’s ongoing battle against desertification, aiming to consolidate previous gains and prevent further environmental degradation. The use of both manual labor and advanced technology highlights the extensive approach being taken.
The “start of construction” order marked the beginning of an intensive effort to fill the remaining “gap” in the comprehensive “colonization” strategy within six months. This involves opening up the “breakpoint” that runs thru the entire line, creating a continuous barrier against the encroaching sands. The goal is to achieve a comprehensive “encirclement” of the deserts, preventing them from spreading and converging. This strategic approach aims to create a lasting impact on the region’s ecological health.
Ma Jun, secretary of Bayingbaogede Village, Bayangaolesum, Alaxa Right Banner, reflected on the past challenges, stating: “in the early years, the wind and sand were raging here, and the strong winds were carrying sand and dust, wantonly eroding the surrounding grasslands and villages. The farmers and herdsmen in our gacha had a hard time living, and the agriculture and animal husbandry could not develop at all.”
He emphasized the positive impact of the “Three Norths” project, adding, “later, the ‘Three Norths’ project began to be constructed. After being treated through artificial grass planting, engineering sand fixing, sand sealing and forest cultivation, everyone can see the effect. The quicksand that used to run everywhere was fixed, and the green that popped up everywhere in the desert was our hope!”
These personal accounts underscore the human impact of desertification and the potential for restoration efforts to improve lives.
The Alxa League achieved significant progress in desert control in 2024, with the amount of desert controlled equaling the total from the previous five years. This success has laid the foundation for the ambitious goals set for 2025. This momentum demonstrates the effectiveness of the strategies being employed and the commitment of the local authorities.
Pan Jingjun, member of the Party Leadership Group and deputy director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Alxa League, described the project’s strategy with a vivid analogy: “Our work is like locking the edge of the desert, like zipping clothes so that the sand inside cannot run out.”
He highlighted the significant improvements in the ecological habitat,noting that the Alxa League has completed 95.9272 million mu of comprehensive desertification control tasks through national key ecological governance projects.This analogy provides a clear and relatable understanding of the project’s objectives.
For 2025, the Alxa League plans to complete over 3 million mu of sand control. This includes joint prevention and control projects around the border areas of Inner Mongolia,Ningxia,and Gansu,aimed at building forest and grass protection belts for the two major environmental bases to safeguard ecological security. The overarching goal is to ensure the desert is covered with green vegetation, transforming the landscape and improving the lives of local communities.This collaborative approach highlights the importance of regional cooperation in addressing environmental challenges.
Can We Really Lock Down Deserts? An In-Depth Look at China’s Enterprising Desertification Project
Is it even possible to halt the relentless march of a desert? The Alxa League in Inner Mongolia is betting billions on it, launching a massive project to literally “zip up” three major deserts. Let’s delve into the details with Dr. lin Wei, a leading expert in environmental science and sustainable land management.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Dr. wei, the Alxa League’s “Three Norths” project aims to create a massive sand-proof barrier across a vast expanse of the gobi Desert.What are the core strategies behind this ambitious initiative?
Dr. Lin Wei: The Alxa League’s approach is multifaceted, focusing on a synergistic combination of ecological restoration methods, designed to create a resilient landscape capable of withstanding desertification. Key strategies include large-scale afforestation—planting drought-resistant trees like saxauls—along with the establishment of extensive grass belts. These act as natural windbreaks, slowing sand movement and reducing erosion. The use of advanced technologies, such as drones for targeted seeding and advanced soil stabilization techniques, considerably enhance the efficiency and scale of these efforts. The project prioritizes holistic land management, combining mechanical sand-fixing methods with biological approaches to create a mutually reinforcing system. This integrated approach is what distinguishes this initiative from past efforts, providing a greater chance of long-term success.
World-Today-News Senior editor: The project mentions “locking” the deserts. Is this a realistic goal? What are the practical challenges involved in physically “controlling” such a massive natural force?
Dr. Lin Wei: the term “locking” is a powerful metaphor, capturing the ambition of the project to contain desert expansion. While we can’t literally “lock” a desert in place like a door,the goal is to create a robust,self-sustaining ecosystem that prevents further encroachment. This requires acknowledging the inherent complexities of desert ecosystems and adapting strategies accordingly. Key challenges include the harsh climatic conditions, water scarcity, and the need for long-term maintenance. Successfully implementing the project requires consistent monitoring, adaptive management practices, and community engagement. Predicting and mitigating the impact of extreme weather events such as droughts and sandstorms is also paramount to long-term success.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: The article highlights the use of drones and advanced technologies. How are these innovations revolutionizing desert control efforts?
Dr.Lin wei: Technological advancements are absolutely critical. Drones enable precise seeding in difficult-to-access areas, optimizing resource allocation and increasing planting efficiency. They also offer real-time monitoring capabilities, allowing for early detection of issues and enabling swift responses. Advanced remote sensing technologies help scientists access comprehensive data on sand movement patterns, vegetation cover, and soil moisture levels. this data-driven decision-making is crucial for developing adaptive management strategies. The prosperous integration of technology allows for a more efficient and effective approach to combating desertification compared to customary methods.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: What are the broader implications of this project, both for the Alxa league and the global fight against desertification? Could this model be replicated elsewhere?
Dr.Lin Wei: the Alxa League project serves as a powerful case study for sustainable land management in arid and semi-arid regions globally. Its success could inspire similar large-scale initiatives in other ecologically sensitive areas struggling with desertification and land degradation. This involves creating replicable models focusing on community-based solutions, promoting sustainable livelihoods, and the integration of advanced sustainable technologies. The project’s lessons learned – the importance of community engagement, technological innovation, and long-term commitment – are worldwide. By demonstrating the feasibility of large-scale land restoration, it can push the boundaries of what’s possible in the global fight against desertification.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: What are some key takeaways for readers interested in learning more about combating desertification and supporting sustainable land management initiatives?
Dr. Lin Wei:
Support Sustainable land Management Practices: Advocate for policies that promote sustainable agricultural and grazing practices.
Invest in technological Innovation: Encourage the growth and adoption of technological solutions aimed at combating desertification.
Promote Community Engagement: Sustainable solutions require collaboration between governments, scientists, and local communities.
Learn from Success Stories: Research and analyze successful desert reclamation projects worldwide.
The Alxa League’s project provides a beacon of hope, showcasing that with a combination of determination, cutting-edge technology, and a holistic understanding of complex environmental challenges, it is indeed possible to reclaim land lost to desertification, creating not only a more sustainable surroundings but resilient communities in the process.
What are your thoughts on this ambitious project? Share your comments and insights below, and let’s engage in a productive discussion about the solutions to global desertification challenges.
Can We Really “Zip up” a Desert? A Groundbreaking Conversation on China’s Enterprising Desertification Project
Can a colossal sand-control project truly halt the seemingly unstoppable advance of a desert? The Alxa League’s bold initiative in Inner Mongolia aims to do just that, and it’s raising crucial questions about environmental restoration and sustainable land management on a global scale.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: Dr. Jian Li, you’re a leading expert in arid land ecology and sustainable land management. The Alxa League’s “Three norths” project in Inner Mongolia is making headlines for its ambitious goal of creating a massive sand-proof barrier across a significant portion of the Gobi Desert. Can you explain the core strategies behind this initiative?
Dr. Jian Li: The Alxa league’s approach is indeed ambitious, focusing on a multifaceted, synergistic approach to ecological restoration aimed at creating a resilient landscape against desertification. The core strategies revolve around large-scale afforestation using drought-resistant species like saxaul trees, creating extensive grass belts which act as natural windbreaks to slow sand movement and reduce erosion, and employing advanced technologies like drones for precise seeding.The project prioritizes what we call “holistic land management,” integrating both mechanical sand-fixing methods and biological approaches to create a system where these techniques reinforce one another. This integrated approach truly sets this initiative apart from previous efforts and considerably increases its chance of long-term success in combating desertification.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: The project frequently uses the term “locking” the deserts. Is this a realistic goal given the immense power of natural forces? What are some of the practical challenges involved in “controlling” such a massive natural process?
Dr. Jian Li: The term “locking” serves as a powerful metaphor for the initiative’s ambition. While we cannot literally “lock” a desert in place, the aim is to effectively create and maintain a robust ecosystem capable of preventing further desert expansion. This understanding requires accepting the significant complexities of desert ecosystems and having the adaptability to adjust strategies. Key challenges include: the undeniably harsh climatic conditions of the area, significant water scarcity, and the need for sustained, long-term maintenance. The success of such a large-scale project depends heavily on consistent monitoring combined with adaptive management practices that incorporate lessons learned and new technology as it becomes available. The ability to predict and mitigate the impact of extreme weather events – droughts and sandstorms, such as – is also crucial to the project’s long-term success.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: The article highlights the use of drones and other advanced technologies. In what ways are these innovations revolutionizing desert control efforts compared to traditional methods?
dr.Jian Li: Technological advancements are indeed a game-changer. Drones offer unparalleled precision in seeding, especially in challenging and hard-to-reach areas, maximizing resource use and planting efficiency significantly improving cost effectiveness as well. Furthermore, drones provide real-time monitoring capabilities, enabling an early detection of issues, which is essential for rapid and appropriate responses. Advanced remote sensing technologies further provide comprehensive data—sand movement patterns, vegetation cover, and soil moisture levels—leading to data-driven decision making that is far more effective than previous methods. In short, the integration of technology facilitates a more efficient and effective process in desertification control as compared to traditional, labor-intensive methods.
World-Today-News senior Editor: What are the broader implications of this project, both for the Alxa League and the global fight against desertification? Could this model potentially be replicated elsewhere in the world?
Dr. Jian Li: The Alxa League project sets a compelling precedent in sustainable land management. If accomplished, it serves as a robust case study for arid and semi-arid regions worldwide. The model’s success could inspire similar endeavors in other ecologically fragile areas facing desertification and land degradation. Replication hinges on the creation of replicable models prioritizing: community-based solutions, promoting sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and integrating sustainable technologies. The project’s key lessons – community engagement,technological innovation,and long-term commitment – are universally applicable.This successful large-scale restoration project has the potential to reshape conventional wisdom on combating desertification globally.
World-Today-News Senior Editor: what are some key takeaways for readers interested in learning more about desertification and supporting sustainable land management initiatives?
Dr. Jian Li: Here are key takeaways to consider:
Support Sustainable Land Management Practices: Advocate for policies promoting sustainable agriculture and grazing practices.
Invest in Technological Innovation: Encourage the advancement and implementation of technologies dedicated to desertification control.
Foster community Engagement: Sustainable solutions depend on collaboration between governments, scientists, and local communities.
Learn from Success Stories: Actively research and analyze the successes and challenges of desertification reclamation projects worldwide.
The Alxa League’s project offers a powerful message of hope, demonstrating through a combination of resolve, innovative technology, and a holistic understanding of complex environmental systems, that reclaiming land lost to desertification is indeed achievable. Not only can we restore degraded environments, but we can also build more resilient and self-sufficient communities in the process.
What are your thoughts on this ambitious endeavor? Share your insights and engage in the conversation below!