Area of stony deserts decreases in Chongqing

CHONGQING -- The area of stony deserts has decreased in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality.

According to figures released by the municipal forestry bureau, Chongqing's stony deserts have decreased 122,000 hectares, 13.6 percent lower compared with 2010.

According to the bureau, Chongqing's stony deserts accounted for 7.7 percent of the country's total. Stony desertification can cause severe environmental damage and lead to geological disasters like floods, landslides and mudslides.

Chongqing authorities have taken a variety of measures to treat the problem, with forest protection enhanced, farmland returned to forests and more trees planted. The energy structure in rural areas was also changed, with rural residents relying less on wood resources.