Core Viewpoint - Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has made significant progress in ecological civilization construction since the 14th Five-Year Plan, implementing a comprehensive forest chief system to enhance forestry and grassland governance, and creating a robust ecological security barrier around the Taklamakan Desert [3][7][18] Group 1: Forest Chief System Implementation - The establishment of a five-level forest chief system has been accelerated since 2021, with over 30,000 forest chiefs appointed by the end of 2024 [7] - The system includes coordination mechanisms such as "forest chief + river (lake) chief" and "forest chief + prosecutor" to enhance resource protection [7] - Xinjiang has received excellent ratings in national forest chief assessments for three consecutive years from 2022 to 2024 [7] Group 2: Ecological Restoration and Green Development - The "Three-North" project has achieved the construction of 12.95 million acres of ecological barriers, promoting the integration of ecological protection with rural revitalization and renewable energy industries [12][18] - The region has seen a shift from "protecting green" to "increasing green," with significant investments in afforestation and ecological restoration projects [12][18] - The introduction of innovative practices, such as the "land-based forestry" initiative, has improved funding for forest management and enhanced local economic development [16] Group 3: Local Initiatives and Community Involvement - Various counties have developed unique ecological industries, such as the apple plantation in Zepu County, which integrates ecological restoration with economic benefits [14] - Community participation in afforestation and sand control has been encouraged, leading to successful projects like the establishment of sand control teams and the promotion of ecological sand industries [11][15] - The transformation of desert areas into productive landscapes has improved local livelihoods and biodiversity, with significant increases in wildlife populations [17][18]

Core Viewpoint - The cultivation and harvesting of Cistanche deserticola, known as "desert ginseng," in the Uytian County of Xinjiang is significantly contributing to local economic development and ecological restoration efforts in desert areas [1][3][4]. Group 1: Cultivation and Harvesting - Cistanche deserticola is a parasitic plant with high medicinal value, primarily growing at the roots of the tamarisk and red willow trees, and the current harvesting season covers an area of 240,000 acres in Uytian County [1][2]. - The harvesting process requires careful techniques to avoid damaging the root systems of Cistanche deserticola, which is crucial for its future growth and market value [1]. - The main harvesting periods for Cistanche deserticola are in spring and autumn, with the autumn harvest starting from late October to the end of November [2]. Group 2: Ecological and Economic Impact - The establishment of ecological forests in Uytian County, which was previously desert, has been made possible through scientific water management and the use of drip irrigation systems [2]. - The integration of desert ecological management with the development of the sand industry has led to increased income for local farmers, with many benefiting from the cultivation of Cistanche deserticola [3][4]. - A cooperative model involving "enterprises + bases + cooperatives + farmers" has been implemented to facilitate the sales and storage of Cistanche deserticola, enhancing market access for local producers [3].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of the desert plant, Cistanche, known as "desert ginseng," which is harvested in the Uytian County of Xinjiang, emphasizing its medicinal and economic value, as well as the sustainable practices involved in its cultivation and harvesting [1][2][9]. Group 1: Cultivation and Harvesting - Cistanche grows as a parasite on the roots of the red willow and saxaul trees, relying on them for nutrients, and is currently in the harvesting season across 240,000 acres in Uytian County [1][2][9]. - The harvesting process is meticulous, requiring careful removal of sand to avoid damaging the roots, which is crucial for the plant's future growth and market value [4][9]. - The harvesting season primarily occurs in spring and autumn, with the current year's total production expected to exceed 40,000 tons [9]. Group 2: Economic Impact and Community Involvement - The integration of desert ecological management with the development of the sand industry has led to increased income for local farmers, as more villagers engage in Cistanche cultivation [9][10][12]. - A cooperative model involving "enterprises + bases + cooperatives + farmers" has been established to facilitate the sale and storage of Cistanche, ensuring that local farmers can sell their harvests efficiently [10][12]. - Local farmers are encouraged to plant protective forests alongside Cistanche, contributing to environmental sustainability while enhancing their economic prospects [10][12].

Core Insights - Inner Mongolia's Alxa League has achieved a milestone in desertification control, with a cumulative treatment area exceeding 10 million acres, establishing a green defense line to improve the ecological environment in northern China and promote green development [1] - The region is responsible for 60% of the national desertification control tasks, emphasizing the importance of a sustained effort in combating desertification [1] - The focus of desertification control has shifted from merely stopping desert expansion to enhancing green coverage and solidifying the results of previous efforts [1] Group 1 - The implementation of "locking edge" projects has been recognized as an effective measure to prevent desert expansion, utilizing methods such as grass grids, biological sand fixation, and photovoltaic sand control [1] - There is still room for improvement in the scale, width, and quality of these locking edge projects, with future efforts aimed at expanding green areas [1] - Technological advancements are crucial for desertification control, with a need to address key technical bottlenecks and integrate technology with engineering solutions [2] Group 2 - The development of the sand industry is emerging as a new economic growth point, with desert tourism being a significant direction for utilizing desert resources [2] - The Badain Jaran Desert in Inner Mongolia was included in the World Heritage List, highlighting the potential for eco-tourism and sustainable development [2] - A principle of "suitable vegetation" is emphasized for desert management, advocating for a diversified investment mechanism and encouraging participation from various stakeholders in desertification control efforts [3]

Core Viewpoint - Inner Mongolia's Alxa League has launched its autumn afforestation work, aiming to complete a task of 560,000 acres by the end of December, contributing to over 10 million acres of land treated since the implementation of the "Three-North" project in 1978 [1][1][1] Group 1: Afforestation Efforts - The afforestation plan includes the use of drought-resistant native shrubs and herbaceous plants such as Haloxylon ammodendron, Caragana korshinskii, and Zygophyllum xanthoxylum [1] - The region is characterized by extreme ecological fragility, with the presence of three major deserts: Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh [1] Group 2: Economic and Ecological Integration - The Alxa League promotes the integration of sand prevention and control with the sand industry, encouraging local farmers and herdsmen to participate in project construction and management [1] - This initiative aims to create job opportunities and increase income for local residents, fostering a positive interaction between ecological protection and livelihood improvement [1]

Core Viewpoint - Inner Mongolia's Alxa League has launched its autumn afforestation work, aiming to complete a task of 560,000 acres by the end of December, contributing to over 10 million acres of land treated since the implementation of the "Three-North" project in 1978 [1] Group 1: Afforestation Efforts - The afforestation plan includes the use of drought-resistant native shrubs and herbaceous plants such as Haloxylon ammodendron, Caragana korshinskii, and Ziziphus jujuba [1] - The region's ecological environment is extremely fragile, with three major deserts: Badain Jaran, Tengger, and Ulan Buh [1] Group 2: Economic and Ecological Integration - The Alxa League promotes the integration of sand prevention and control with the sand industry, encouraging local farmers and herdsmen to participate in project construction and management [1] - This initiative aims to create job opportunities and increase income for local residents, fostering a positive interaction between ecological protection and livelihood improvement [1]

Core Insights - China's desertification and land degradation are experiencing a "double reduction," with a historic shift from "desert advancing and people retreating" to "green advancing and desert retreating" in key governance areas, achieving zero growth in land degradation ahead of global timelines [1] Group 1: Desertification and Land Management - The area of desertified land in China is 257 million hectares, accounting for 27% of the national territory, primarily located in the northwest, northeast, and north China [1] - The area of sandy land has been continuously reduced over four monitoring periods, shifting from an average annual expansion of 340,000 hectares at the end of the 20th century to a current average annual reduction of 670,000 hectares [1] Group 2: Environmental Improvements - The total soil erosion from China's eight major deserts and four sandy areas has decreased by approximately 40% since 2000, with average vegetation coverage reaching 20.22%, an increase of 2.6% compared to a decade ago [1] - The frequency of sandstorm events has decreased by 30% over the past ten years compared to the previous decade [1] Group 3: Economic Impact and Future Goals - Since the 14th Five-Year Plan, the "Three-North" project has completed comprehensive desertification management over an area exceeding 2 million acres, with a goal of achieving zero growth in land degradation by 2030 [1] - The desert regions produce 48 million tons of dry and fresh fruit annually, accounting for about one-quarter of the national total, with an annual total output value of 120 billion yuan, where income from forestry and fruit in key areas constitutes over 50% of farmers' net income [1]

Core Viewpoint - The development of a "green collar" industry in the Taklamakan Desert region of Xinjiang is transforming previously unproductive land into a thriving agricultural and aquaculture hub, showcasing innovative techniques in water management and crop cultivation [1][3][11]. Group 1: Aquaculture Development - The unique "desert seafood" aquaculture industry in the southern Taklamakan Desert has rapidly developed, with a water product output of 12,000 tons and a value of 380 million yuan [3]. - Local techniques such as "de-salting" and "de-alkalizing" have successfully adjusted the pH levels of water from 9.5-11 to the optimal range of 7.5-8.5 for aquatic life [3]. - The aquaculture initiative has also improved local employment, with average monthly wages exceeding 3,600 yuan [3]. Group 2: Rice Cultivation - In the desert edge area known as Daoxiang Village, rice cultivation has expanded to 10,000 acres, overcoming challenges of salinity, alkalinity, and water scarcity [5]. - The average yield of rice has increased to approximately 600 kilograms per acre, contributing to a rise in per capita income to 14,600 yuan [5]. - The integration of tourism with agricultural practices has further enhanced the economic prospects of the village [5]. Group 3: Diverse Agricultural Practices - The introduction of corn cultivation in the desert has been facilitated by a drip irrigation system, which conserves 30%-50% more water compared to traditional methods [7]. - The region has diversified its agricultural output by incorporating alfalfa and other crops, leading to a more integrated "planting + breeding" industry chain [9]. - The average income of villagers has surpassed 20,000 yuan, reflecting improved living conditions due to diversified agricultural practices [9]. Group 4: Economic Impact - The total area of specialty economic crops in desert regions of Xinjiang has reached 1.845 million acres, generating an annual output value of 4.37 billion yuan [11]. - The transformation from barren land to productive agricultural zones illustrates a successful model of sustainable development and economic growth in arid regions [11].

Group 1: Industry Development - The Taklamakan Desert, the world's second-largest shifting sand desert, has seen the successful completion of a 3,046 km green protective forest belt in Xinjiang, which is expected to foster a "green and prosperous" industrial development path [1][27] - The aquaculture industry in the Taklamakan Desert region has rapidly developed, with a water product output of 12,000 tons and a value of 380 million yuan in 2024 [3][27] - The introduction of innovative techniques to adjust water pH levels has enabled the successful cultivation of seafood in desert conditions, overcoming significant environmental challenges [3][27] Group 2: Agricultural Innovations - In the desert edge area of Xinjiang, a village named Daoxiang Village has successfully cultivated rice on a large scale, achieving an average yield of approximately 600 kg per mu [6][11] - The introduction of a drip irrigation system has allowed for efficient water use in corn cultivation, saving 30% to 50% of water compared to traditional methods [16][14] - The diversification of planting structures in the region has led to increased income for villagers, with per capita income exceeding 20,000 yuan [21][27] Group 3: Economic Impact - The total planting area for specialty economic crops in Xinjiang's sandy areas has reached 1.845 million mu, generating an annual output value of 4.37 billion yuan [27] - The development of a "planting + breeding" integrated industrial chain has been established, enhancing local economic resilience and employment opportunities [18][21]

Core Insights - Xinjiang is focusing on combating desertification through the "Three-North" project, aiming to enhance green protective belts and increase governance areas significantly this year [1][2] - The region has successfully completed substantial tasks under the "Three-North" project, achieving a total of 28.34 million acres of construction and creating a 3,046-kilometer green barrier against desert encroachment [1] Group 1 - Xinjiang plans to scientifically determine suitable crops and utilize groundwater resources effectively, increasing the width of green protective belts from 110 meters to 7,500 meters and adding 4.79 million acres of governance area [1] - The "government-led, community-participation" model in the Yutian County has engaged approximately 36,000 residents in sand control efforts, promoting the cultivation of sand-resistant plants and developing sand-related industries [1] - The region has achieved a dual improvement in desertification control and water management, leading to a reduction in both desert and sandy land areas [1] Group 2 - The Yutian County Wanhuayuan "closing" area is a critical segment of the 285-kilometer gap along the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, exploring diverse planting models to enhance windbreak and sand-fixing capabilities while also tapping into economic value [2] - A special fund of 1.1 billion yuan has been allocated for this year, promoting an incentive model of "doing first, then compensating" and advancing technical upgrades with distributed photovoltaic systems and saline water irrigation [2] - A pilot project for forest and grass carbon sink development is set to cover 3.9 million acres [2]