In a bold move to combat desertification, China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is spearheading a 130-million-yuan ecological initiative in its southern territories. The project, centered in Kunyu City, aims to level sand dunes across 27 square kilometers using advanced drip irrigation systems while mobilizing over 700 volunteers to plant drought-resistant poplar trees along the desert's western frontier.
Water Management Meets Afforestation
The Tarim River Basin Administration launched its 27th annual ecological water release on March 22, 2026, continuing a program that has delivered 107 billion cubic meters of water to fragile ecosystems since 2000. This strategic hydration supports existing oases while enabling new vegetation growth.
Shelterbelt Expansion
Building on current progress, regional authorities announced plans to add nearly 700 square kilometers to the Three-North Shelterbelt Program this year. The 'Green Great Wall' initiative has become a cornerstone of China's ecological security strategy, combining:
