China’s desertification control has achieved remarkable results during the 14th Five-Year Plan period
Notable results have been achieved in sand prevention and sand control. Over the past five years, 152 million mu of sandy land have been treated. The Three-North Shelterbelt Program has progressed close to expectations. Click to learn about the latest progress in ecological improvement.
According to a report by CCTV.com on June 18, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration said that since the start of the 14th FiveYear Plan, China has continued to advance comprehensive desertification control, and antidesertification and sand control work has made relatively significant progress.
Data show that over the past five years, the country has cumulatively completed 152 million mu of sandified land restoration and 29.32 million mu of rocky desertification land restoration. The spread of desertification has been curbed, and the ecological environment in the relevant regions has continued to improve.
In the main battlefield for sand prevention and control, the "ThreeNorth" region, Phase VI of the ThreeNorth Shelter Forest Program has deployed construction tasks covering 463 million mu, of which 355 million mu has currently been completed, with overall progress close to the expected schedule. Localities are also using technological means to improve governance efficiency, dividing ecological governance zones and promoting droughtresistant, coldresistant, and saltalkalitolerant forestry and grass varieties. The adoption rate of improved varieties has exceeded 75%.
The article also noted that the area of desertified land in China has continued to decrease, and the level of soil wind erosion in the eight major deserts and four major sandy lands has declined significantly compared with 2000, while vegetation coverage in sandy areas has steadily increased. Relevant experience is also being shared with the international community, providing a reference for global ecological governance.