China Marks World Anti-Desertification DayOn Saturday marks the Sixth World Anti-desertification Day named by the United Nations. More Chinese have become aware of the problem of desertification since frequent sandstorms hit parts of the country, especially the northern parts during the spring season.Shenyang, capital of northeast China's Liaoning Province, tried to alarm local residents of the approaching deserts by giving exhibits and handouts on Saturday. Many residents in Shenyang who visited an exhibition Sunday on the problem concerning desertification were shocked by the devastation caused by desertification. "People's Daily" published a commentary on Saturday urging greater efforts to curb desertification which has been increasing by 2,460 sq km per year. China will initiate a five-year desert control project on the outskirts of Beijing to improve the local environment. The project is part of a nationwide desert control campaign. In the next five years, 27 percent of deserts will be planted with trees and grass. The current figure was 13.36 percent. Hebei Province will build three forest belts, totaling 1.97 million hectares in five years, to curb potential sandstorms. |
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