Alshaa League advances huge shelterbelt forest program

Under the scorching sun, workers tirelessly carry out desertification controls. [Photo/Alshaa Right Banner Convergence Media Center]

Alshaa Right Banner is continuing to vigorously advance the critical phase of the national Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program.

After over 40 years of success – having been launched in 1978 – the project consists of forestation in northwest, north and northeast China, in order to hold back sandstorms and soil erosion. The eight-phase project, covering 13 provincial regions, is scheduled to be completed by 2050.

These days, amid scorching desert temperatures exceeding 40 C, workers in Alshaa League's Desertification Control Phase II project in Alshaa Right Banner remain undeterred.

They labor diligently, laying grass grids and pressing sand with precision and dedication.

In this effort, 500 sand control teams comprising over 5,000 workers are tasked with covering 427,000 mu (28,467 hectares) with grass grids within the year.

The monumental task equates to over 280 million square meters of green barriers, requiring around 12 million grass grids. Each grid represents the workers' relentless pursuit of a greener future.

Alshaa Right Banner continues to diligently advance its desertification control projects. [Photo/Alshaa Right Banner Convergence Media Center]

For 2024, Alshaa League's Phase II project has allocated a total of 2.02 million mu for construction in Alshaa Right Banner, with an investment of 860 million yuan ($118.46 million).

Currently, the project has accumulated 72 million saplings and 224,500 metric tons of straw. As of June 19, 1.62 million mu have been completed, achieving 80.14 percent of the planned target. This includes 499,000 mu of grass planting, 426,500 mu of sand fixation, and 419,000 mu of degraded forest restoration.