Shanxi's Youyu wins the battle to create forests from barren land

Sixty years ago, Youyu county in North China's Shanxi province was a place known for its sandstorms, and barren land and hills. Now, however, it is a national ecological demonstration zone and a 4A-level tourism area.

Located at the edge of the Mu Us Desert, the county has witnessed its forest coverage grow from less than 0.3 percent to 51 percent over the past decades.

The local authorities regard the improvement in forestry as their top priority, and a strategic measure to improve people's livelihoods and achieve sustainable development.

Zhang Ronghuai, the first secretary of the county Party committee, said all of the 20 secretaries have called on local people to plant more trees.

Every one of the more than 100 governmental departments and government-administered organizations is responsible for planting trees in part of the county's land, and the leaders pick the most challenging locations, which is a 60-year-old tradition.

They have set up many forestry bases across the county, converting more than 20,000 hectares of barren land into green forest.

Last year alone, the government invested more than 80 million yuan ($12.26 million) in environmental improvements. It created more than 8,300 hectares of forest in barren land and 166 hectares of forest around urban areas, planting trees along about 100 kilometers of highway.

It is difficult for plants to grow in Youyu because it experiences cold weather with strong winds, has large areas of sand and has an average altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level.

In different periods over the past 60 years, the government and technicians used various methods to tame the land.

In the 1950s, when most of the land was barren, people tried to plant trees in small areas with relatively better conditions. Then, in the 1970s, when they managed to achieve a certain level of forestation, they filled up the blank spaces.

After 2000, the authorities optimized their overall planning of trees, bushes, grass and other plants, taking into consideration the various landscapes in the county.

Apart from government investments, the authorities have also introduced the private sector into the picture, including companies and professional tree planting teams.

Local residents have donated about 60 million yuan over the past 60 years to plant trees, and worked more than 200 million days voluntarily.

The local authorities have introduced modern forestry techniques and conducted scientific research into areas including breeding, nurturing and management. Technicians have been employed to offer training and consultation.

"Youyu county used to be an uninhabitable place on the verge of desertification, but under the leadership of the local Party committee and government, the Youyu people made up their minds to modify nature," said forestry technician Zhao Shouzhong.

He said despite tough natural conditions in transporting and growing plants, they will uphold the "Youyu spirit" to achieve improved ecological conditions.

His colleague Wang Zhiqiang said, in the future, they would try to "make the forest ecology more balanced, and continue to encourage society to be engaged in creating forests".

zhangzhao@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 09/11/2017 page12)