China has approximately 2.61 million square kilometers of soil undergoing desertification. Once arable lands now consist of sand, drought, and heat. Sandstorms continue to erode the land, exploiting the weaknesses left by overgrazing, poor agricultural practices, and the increased demand for water. Farmers are forced to abandon their land. Without intervention, desertification could affect a much wider area. Thankfully, this loss of land is a matter that China is not only aware of, but also addressing.
The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Desert Prevention and Transformation was the first of its kind in the world. It was formulated to prevent land desertification, transform affected land, protect the safety of environment, and promote the sustainable development of economy and society. Articles address planning desert prevention and transformation and the obligation of those who use the land to restore it. It speaks on the planting and protection of foliage, and the limits to livestock. There’s also a lengthy section on liabilities.
It’s a detailed law, and with implementation it has been getting excellent results. According to the National Monitoring of Desertification and Sandification, areas of desertification were reduced by a yearly average of 2,424 square kilometers between 2010 and 2014. In the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, arid areas have been reduced from 16,500 square kilometers to 11,620 square kilometers since the 1970s. Ningxia has experienced such success that the State Council approved the building of a sand control demonstration zone meant to share the region’s expertise with others.
To combat desertification, China employs a number of tactics. Shelterbelts are barriers of trees and shrubs planted to protect crops and soil. Green belts are established along foothills to block the flow of sand. The local conditions dictate which plants are utilized, with the majority being grasses. Drought resistant and local species of plants are preferred, while afforestation methods include low density, artificial, and natural techniques. Oasis protection and construction is highly strived for. If any plants exist in arid areas, protecting them is a higher priority than replanting.
China recognized the dangers of desertification early and was the first to create law to combat it. Since that time, the desert in China has been trying to expand. However, as long as the country and its people cooperate with the law and methods of implementation, China will keep pushing the desert back.