China Plans to Limit Desert ExpansionChina's State Forestry Administration has crafted a plan that it hopes will limit desertification, which is one of China's most serious problems, China Daily reported.The plan, if successful, would mean that the deserts would no longer expand 2,460 square kilometers a year, as happens now. China's deserts currently cover 2.62 million square kilometers or 27 percent of its total territory. Desertification could be curbed as early as 2010 or perhaps within 30 years, Forestry Deputy Director Li Yucai said at a recent seminar. By 2050, authorities "may be able to bring all of China's desert land into control in a bid to ensure harmonious development of China's economy, society and environment," Li said. While the plan focuses on 14 provinces, autonomous regions and major cities, its priority targets the areas surrounding China's eight largest deserts, four other major deserts and the areas along the Yellow River. To limit further desertification, plants will be protected in oases and desert fringe areas, water-efficient irrigation will be introduced in oases and sand-shield belts will be constructed along major transportation lines and key towns. The plan has been submitted to the State Council for approval. Official statistics indicate that land deterioration, including desertification, has caused production losses on more than 153,000 hectares of farmlands and 100 million hectares of grasslands. Since early spring, 12 sandstorm have swept through much of northern and northwestern China. |
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