How China Built a Massive Green Belt to Protect the Tarim Desert Highway

In China’s relentless Taklamakan Desert, the Tarim Desert Highway stands as a lifeline between the northern and southern regions of the Tarim Basin. Completed in 1995, this 552-kilometer route faced immediate challenges from the surrounding environment, with 446 kilometers cutting through areas dominated by shifting sand dunes reaching heights of 20 meters.

To prevent these sands from engulfing the highway, an ambitious green belt project was conceived. After years of experimentation, a combination of rose willows, sacsaoul, and buckthorn was planted along the route, forming a 72 to 78-meter-wide vegetative barrier.

This green belt, covering over 3,000 hectares, relies on an extensive irrigation network that taps into underground water sources. Water is drawn from wells drilled 100 meters deep, accessing aquifers fed by mountain rivers.

Despite challenges such as high salinity, the vegetation has flourished, thanks to the continuous efforts of workers stationed along the highway. Their role is crucial in maintaining the health of the plants and ensuring the functionality of the irrigation systems.

This initiative not only protects the highway from sand encroachment but also demonstrates a successful strategy for environmental management and infrastructure protection in desert regions.

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