A national survey on natural resource exploitation and environmental improvement in the arid areas of western China began recently in this capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.

The survey will take 100 research fellows and professors in Beijing and Xinjiang more than five years to complete and is expected to cost around 34 million yuan.

Arid areas in western China cover 2.5 million square kilometers between the Helan and Kunlun mountains, making up one-quarter of China's territory.

The current survey will focus on studying the evolution of the environment in arid areas, the mechanism of ecological degeneration, and ways of improving the ecology of the region.

When the survey is completed, researchers will draw up a plan applicable for economic growth in these areas which will include effective methods of ecological renewal, and measures to lessen the impact of natural disasters.