Institute focuses on stopping encroaching sand

A new global desertification control action plan focuses on creation of an institute that could develop best practices for ecological restoration and share those with developing countries struggling with encroaching sand.

The Kubuqi Global Desert Institute will be set up with the cooperation of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and built into a leading training center within five years, according to the plan approved on Wednesday.

Worldwide, deserts are increasing by 50,000 to 70,000 square kilometers annually, the plan notes.