Stop Shifting Sands with "Green Scarf": High-Level Salon Spotlights China's Desert Transformation

Dedicated to the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 2025, a high-level salon, entitled "Exploring New Models for Taklimakan Desert Edge-locking Project" was successfully held in Hotan, Xinjiang from June 15 to 18, 2025, with the participation of over 100 experts, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and local community representatives. The salon not only spotlighted China's advancements in desertification control but also issued a powerful global call for collaborative efforts to transform fragile ecosystems into thriving green frontiers.

Group photo (Image by XIEG) 

The Taklamakan Desert, China's largest and the world's second-largest shifting sand desert, has long been a formidable challenge, plagued by incessant sand movements. However, a monumental victory was declared on November 28, 2024, with the full completion of a 3,046-kilometer green sand-blocking protective belt encircling the entire desert. This "edge-locking project" represents a profound milestone – effectively adorning the vast Taklamakan with a "green scarf".

Prof. LEI JiaQiang from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography (XIEG) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the project's innovative, multi-faceted approach. "This edge-locking project is a testament to comprehensive strategies that integrate engineering, biological, and even photovoltaic measures to conquer desertification," Prof. LEI stated, "Beyond traditional techniques, we are embracing new materials and innovative methodologies."

The salon's agenda delved deep into three key topics: Intelligent Diagnosis of Wind and Sand Hazards and Smart Decision-making for Dersification Control, Utilization of Saline Water in Deserts and New Models for Desertification Control, and Photovoltaic Power for High-quality Desertification Control. These discussions offered fresh perspectives and cutting-edge solutions for the ongoing management of the Taklamakan Desert.

This significant event, officially recognized as part of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) series of activities, underscored China's proactive contributions and leading role in the global fight against land degradation. The salon sent a clear message: when scientific innovation, decisive policy-making, and strong community engagement unite, even the most desolate landscapes can be reimagined and flourish.

This salon also marks the 30th anniversary of two Certificates of Appreciation awarded by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 1995. These prestigious accolades recognized China's outstanding contributions in combating desertification and controlling land degradation in arid environments, continuing to inspire hope worldwide.

Certificates of Appreciation presented by UNEP (Image by XIEG)

Contact

LONG Huaping

Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography

E-mail: longhp@ms.xjb.ac.cn

Web: http://english.egi.cas.cn