Planting Hope in the Desert 🌵
Guess what? In the faraway land of Xinjiang, China, something amazing is happening! On November 28, 2024, the very last rose seedling was planted to complete a huge “green belt” around the southern edge of the Taklimakan Desert. This means they’ve created a big band of plants to stop the desert from spreading. Isn’t that cool?
The Fight Against the Sand 🏜️
But the work doesn’t stop there! People are still working hard to make the green belt even bigger and stronger. Bulldozers are leveling sand dunes and filling in big holes to smooth out the land. This helps prepare over 530 hectares (that’s like 990 soccer fields!) of sandy land in Yutian County for more plants.
Superhero Plants to the Rescue! 🌿
Local plants like the saxaul and the salt cedar are like superheroes when it comes to stopping the sand. In Lop County, workers are storing bundles of red willow branches underground to keep them safe during winter. In spring, they’ll plant these willows over more than 400 hectares of desert!
In another place called Yutian, workers are collecting saxaul seeds from sandy areas. These seeds will grow into strong plants that help hold the sand in place.
Solar Panels and Plants Together ☀️🌱
But wait, there’s more! Lots of solar panels are being installed in the desert. These panels turn sunlight into electricity. Underneath them, people will plant sand-stabilizing plants like medick and Chinese fountain grass. This way, they can make electricity and stop the sand at the same time!
A New Way Forward 🌍
This project shows how taking care of the Earth and making energy can work together. It’s a new model for Xinjiang and maybe even the whole world! By combining green plants and green energy, they’re turning the desert into a place of hope.
Isn’t it amazing what people can do when they work together to help our planet?
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
