10-year Plan to Combat Desertification Issued

According to the plan, China plans to treat 100 million mu (6.7 million hectares) of desert land by 2025 and 186 million mu (12.4 million hectares) by 2030. In the same period, the government will close off for use a total of 90 million mu (6 million hectares) of desert land that is too degraded to restore. 　

The plan defines seven key areas for sand control, including northern Inner Mongolia, the hilly and mountainous areas in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei regions, the Taklimakan Desert, the Qaidam Basin Desert and river valleys in Tibet Autonomous Region. 　

The document emphasizes prevention and protection based on land classification. Desert lands will be improved by green projects and sand fixation projects. Green industries will be promoted to help with sand control and economic growth in sandy areas. 　

China has made efforts to control sand since 2002 and already released three plans. By the end of 2021, China has restored 282 million mu (18.8 million hectares) of desertified land and closed off 26.58 million mu (1.77 million hectares) with 98 national desert parks established. In the same period, the government banned grazing on 1.2 billion mu (80 million hectares) of grassland and balanced grazing and farming for 2.6 billion mu (173.3 million hectares). China’s desertified land is declining by an average of 667,000 hectares every year, and the incidence of sandstorms has reduced.