Ningxia, a northwestern Chinese region encircled by deserts, has long stood at the forefront of the battle against desertification. The region’s relentless sands once threatened to engulf communities and disrupt the delicate balance between the desert and the fertile lands.
Over the decades, China’s approach to managing deserts has evolved dramatically. In the 1950s, the introduction of wheat straw grid sand fixation marked a significant step forward. This method involved creating grids with wheat straw to stabilize the sand dunes, preventing them from shifting and spreading.
Today, that innovation has progressed to the modern straw checkerboard sand barrier, laid with brush net rope. This technique not only stabilizes the dunes but also promotes vegetation growth, transforming barren sands into green landscapes.
At Shapotou, located at the southeastern edge of the Tengger Desert, these advancements are vividly apparent. Once known for its towering dunes over a hundred meters high, Shapotou is where the desert dramatically meets the Yellow River. On one side, the river rushes with life; on the other, the yellow sands lie high, a testament to nature’s raw power.
Not far from the riverbanks, wheat straw grids stretch across the dunes like a sprawling tapestry. These grids build a grass wall that imprisons the flowing sand, holding back the desert’s advance. This natural barrier not only protects the Yellow River from being overtaken by sand but also safeguards the communities and ecosystems that rely on its waters.
Ningxia’s innovative approaches serve as a model for combating desertification worldwide. By blending traditional methods with modern techniques, the region demonstrates how human ingenuity can harmonize with nature to overcome environmental challenges.
Reference(s):
China combats desertification in more innovative, effective ways
cgtn.com
