Zhu Lieke, deputy director-general of the State Forestry Administration, said at a press conference held on Wednesday that by 2010 China will have brought 13 million hectares of sand-encroached land under control, protected 3.72 million hectares of land by setting apart sand areas for tree growing and set aside a number of sand-encroached lands as protection zone. By then the trend of desertification in China will be effectively curbed and the ecological condition in the sand-encroached areas will be improved.

Zhu Lieke said the State Council deliberated and adopted the National Desertification Prevention and Control Program (2005 -2010) at the 81st Executive Meeting on Feb. 23. It is a major move in implementing the scientific outlook of development and constructing a harmonious socialist society. By the end of 2004 China has harnessed sand-encroached lands of 22.37 hectares. A historic breakthrough has been made in that harnessed area has exceeded the spread of desertification each year since 2001. The trend of accelerated expansion has been effectively checked and the ecological conditions in many areas have improved considerably, which is significant for the sustainable development of economy and society.

According to the Program by 2010 vegetation areas in the northwest, the western part of the northeast and the northern part of the north have been increasing steadily. The grain and farming production capabilities of farmers and herdsmen have been improved and energy shortage in rural areas has been alleviated considerably. The problem of land desertification in Beijing and Tianjin as well as the surrounding areas has been basically solved and ecological conditions are improving in a comprehensive fashion. Industrial structure in rural areas has been optimized and the agricultural economy is developing rapidly. The sand-encroached areas have preliminarily realized coordinated development of ecology, economy and society.

By People's Daily Online