Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing efforts in the Khorchin Sandy Land, particularly in Zhangwu County, to combat desertification through a comprehensive approach that integrates ecological and economic development [1][2] Group 1: Environmental Initiatives - A large-scale project for planting sea buckthorn has commenced in Zhangwu County, aiming to achieve a combination of windbreak and sand fixation with economic forestry [1] - Zhangwu County is recognized as a key battlefield in the fight against desertification and is designated as a national comprehensive demonstration area for sand control [1] Group 2: Economic Development Strategies - The local government emphasizes the importance of developing forestry industries as a fundamental strategy to transform ecological benefits into economic gains, supporting high-quality economic development [1] - The "Two Forests" (under-forest economy and forestry economy) and "Two Transformations" (ecological industrialization and industrial ecology) are central to the county's development strategy [1] Group 3: Government Support and Planning - The approach taken by Zhangwu County has received recognition from the Liaoning Provincial Government, highlighting the need for sustainable resource utilization and the development of economic forestry [2] - The "Five-Year Plan for Under-Forest Economy Development (2025-2029)" focuses on diverse economic models, including medicinal herbs, seedlings, flowers, vegetables, fungi, and silkworm farming, to promote a full industrial chain [2] - By 2025, the plan aims to establish a "one land, two parks, and a hundred villages" initiative, which includes a large-scale medicinal herb planting project and a courtyard economy project across multiple villages [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Akesu region in Xinjiang has made significant progress in combating desertification and promoting afforestation, achieving a forest coverage rate of 9.08% through large-scale tree planting and ecological restoration efforts [1][4]. Group 1: Ecological Transformation - The Akesu region has implemented a persistent sand control campaign, utilizing the "Three North" shelterbelt program and an innovative "engineering + biological + sand industry" model to transition from passive sand damage resistance to proactive ecological management [2][7]. - Since the 1980s, the region has initiated various ecological governance projects, including the "Five Million Mu" project, to establish a green barrier along the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, resulting in a green protective belt that is 60 kilometers wide and 386 kilometers long [3][4]. Group 2: Sand Industry Development - The establishment of a demonstration base for the cultivation of Haloxylon ammodendron in Shaya County has led to significant economic benefits, with the company involved reporting annual revenues exceeding ten million yuan from the cultivation and processing of the plant [5][6]. - The Akesu region has developed a comprehensive sand industry, with 59.03 million mu of desert-adapted plants cultivated and a production value of nearly 58.93 million yuan, creating over 5,000 jobs [6][8]. Group 3: Innovative Sand Control Models - The region has explored new technologies and models for sand control, including the integration of photovoltaic power generation with sand control efforts, which has helped address water scarcity for irrigation [7][8]. - A new development plan for the desert economy has been introduced, aiming to create a distinctive industrial system that enhances ecological, economic, and social benefits while promoting sustainable development in desert areas [8].

Group 1 - The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is focusing on greening key areas, particularly the edge of the Taklamakan Desert, through various projects such as photovoltaic sand control and biological sand control [1] - The "Locking Edge Project" of the Taklamakan Desert has entered a high-quality and normalized phase since its completion on November 28, 2024, with plans to complete 11.94 million mu of the "Three North" project this year, including 8.44 million mu for the desert edge [1] - Local communities are actively participating in afforestation efforts, with drought-resistant and economically valuable tree species being planted to enhance both ecological and economic benefits [1] Group 2 - The Xinjiang government has implemented nine measures to support the desert control efforts, focusing on policies, funding, and technology [2] - In the Aheler Township, the government covers infrastructure costs to encourage farmers to participate in sand control planting, with over 230 households cultivating more than 29,000 mu of land [2] - The Aksu region is utilizing small distributed photovoltaic systems to address water and electricity challenges for desert reclamation, achieving an 80% survival rate for planted trees over 63,000 mu [2] Group 3 - The Shaya County is exploring brine water desalination technology to further enhance sand control results, with a demonstration base showing good growth of crops like wheat and cabbage [3]