July 12 marked the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms, shining a light on the urgent need for global action against these escalating environmental challenges. With sand and dust storms now affecting 151 countries, their impact on the environment, agriculture, and human health is more significant than ever.
In response, the United Nations declared 2025-2034 as the “United Nations Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms.” This initiative calls for worldwide cooperation, urging governments, the private sector, and communities to join forces in tackling this pressing issue.
China has stepped up as a leader in this global effort. Since June 2023, the nation has completed over 6.67 million hectares of forestation and land restoration, focusing on its arid northern regions. Central to this endeavor is the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program (TSFP), one of the world’s largest tree-planting initiatives.
In the eastern areas like Horqin and Hunshandake, more than 948,000 hectares of sandy lands have been stabilized. Central regions around the Great Bend of the Yellow River have seen 3.18 million hectares of land rehabilitated, significantly reducing sediment flowing into the river. In the west, along the Hexi Corridor and the fringes of the Taklimakan Desert, expanding forests and grasslands have caused the edge of the Tengger Desert to retreat by 25 kilometers.
These achievements are backed by substantial investment. Over the past two years, China’s central government has invested 57.7 billion yuan (about $8 billion) in 369 major projects, treating a total of 8.2 million hectares of land. This period marks the most intensive phase of investment and progress in the TSFP’s history.
Innovation plays a key role in China’s approach. In Inner Mongolia’s Xilingol, authorities are constructing over 600 kilometers of roads in rural areas, creating grid-like barriers that halt the movement of sand dunes. Along the edge of the Taklimakan Desert in Xinjiang, a massive “photovoltaic corridor” stretching approximately 800 kilometers is being built. This project not only prevents desert expansion but also promotes renewable energy.
Technology is transforming desertification control. The use of drones for seed planting, sand barrier-laying machines, and specialized equipment has boosted efficiency dramatically. Mechanized afforestation now accounts for nearly 50 percent of desert control operations, while improved tree and grass species are used in over 70 percent of reforested areas.
As the world embarks on the first year of the UN Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, China’s extensive and innovative efforts serve as a powerful example. With determination and collaborative action, the fight against desertification is not just a dream but an achievable goal that can inspire nations across the globe.
