Ever imagined a 153km long green hug around a desert 🌵💚? In Zhongwei, Ningxia, locals’ve turned that into reality with an edge-locking project that’s seriously next-level.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period in the Chinese mainland, green development took center stage. Here, a barrier belt of trees, shrubs, and grasses now encircles the Tengger Desert, stopping sand in its tracks.
Called “edge-locking,” this method uses native plants as natural fences. The roots trap shifting dunes, the foliage reduces wind speed, and voilà, you get a living wall that fights desertification.
The results? Desert expansion has slowed massively. Communities report better water retention, revived soil health, and a surge in local wildlife 🐦. It’s like turning barren sands into a budding oasis.
But there’s tech too! Drones map shifting sands, smart sensors monitor soil moisture, and app-powered irrigation ensures every drop counts. It’s a perfect mix of ecological wisdom and digital innovation.
Want more? Check out the fourth episode in this series to dive deeper—from “humans advancing, desert retreating” to “humans and desert coexisting.” It’s a real game-changer for anyone into sustainability and green tech 🌍✨.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
