Green Area in Western China to be ExpandedOver the next decade China will convert 5.3 million hectares of farmland into forest and plant 8 million ha of mountain country in trees and grass.This is an important task in China's drive to accelerate development in its western region. The massive project, which covers 12 provinces and autonomous regions in central and western China, will be divided into three phases. The seven key afforestation projects in western China, including water conservancy projects at the upper and middle reaches of the Yangtze and Yellow rivers, will cost 20 million yuan. Western China has been suffering from serious soil erosion and sand storms. Over 80 percent of eroded land and 95 percent of sandy areas in China lie in the region. |
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