CCTV News: Recently, the 2025 Alkin Desert Ecological Protection and Restoration and Control Project of Tiemenguan City, Xinjiang, was launched in full swing, and a new desertification control area of 25,600 mu will be added to ensure that the sand source in the Alkin Desert ecosystem does not spread, and further weave the "green of the edges" of the Taklamakan Desert.
In Nantun Town, Tiemenguan City, Xinjiang, hundreds of local residents are surrounding the edge of the Taklamakan Desert. They spread clusters of reeds on the sand, then rolled them into the sand with shovels, leaving half of them standing naturally, forming square-shaped micro protective nets, and contiguous pieces play the role of preventing wind and sand.
Some areas of Tiemenguan City, Xinjiang are distributed between the two major deserts of Taklamakan and Kumutag. There are strong winds and sandstorms and harsh natural conditions. Through a series of projects such as the construction of the sand-fixing belt, the protection and conservation of peripheral natural forests and grasslands, the local area has strengthened ecological and environmental protection in all aspects, and promoted the protection of forest and grass resources in the Alkin Desert area and the restoration of ecosystems.
Zhang You, head of the Forestry and Grass Management Section of the Natural Resources and Planning Bureau of Tiemenguan City, Xinjiang, said: "We plan to create a comprehensive oasis protection barrier of trees, shrubs and grasses at the frontiers of the deserts outside the agricultural area. In key wind and sand estuary areas, we can reduce wind speed and block sand and dust through the combination of engineering measures and biological measures. We will take measures such as water-saving irrigation, artificial afforestation, sand sealing and forest cultivation in the agricultural area to protect and restore oasis vegetation."
The total investment of the comprehensive management project of the Alkin Desert Ecological Protection and Restoration of Tiemenguan City, Xinjiang is 49.8767 million yuan, and 3,800 mu of artificial tree forests and 21,800 mu of grass square sand barriers and high vertical sand barriers will be completed before the end of this year. After the project is completed, 25,600 mu of desertification control area will be added to effectively improve the regional ecological environment and further weave the "border-locking green" of the Taklamakan Desert.
