From "Sea of Death" to "Green Oasis": The Miracle Rebirth of Kubuqi Desert

From "Sea of Death" to "Green Oasis": The Miracle Rebirth of Kubuqi DesertThe Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, once considered the root of the "century-old sandstorm" in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, unleashed sandstorms every winter, ravaging the northern sky. However, in recent years, this former "Sea of Death" has undergone a dramatic transformation, gradually turning into a vibrant "Green Oasis," thanks to the "Water Diversion to Sand" project implemented by the Hangjin Banner government

From "Sea of Death" to "Green Oasis": The Miracle Rebirth of Kubuqi Desert

The Kubuqi Desert in Inner Mongolia, once considered the root of the "century-old sandstorm" in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, unleashed sandstorms every winter, ravaging the northern sky. However, in recent years, this former "Sea of Death" has undergone a dramatic transformation, gradually turning into a vibrant "Green Oasis," thanks to the "Water Diversion to Sand" project implemented by the Hangjin Banner government.

From "Sea of Death" to "Bald Wasteland": The Desolate Nature of Kubuqi Desert

Located in the eastern part of the Mongolian Plateau, the Kubuqi Desert stands at a high altitude with a dry climate, scarce rainfall, and massive evaporation, leading to severe water loss. Meanwhile, situated at the windward side of mountain ranges like the Altay Mountains, it is susceptible to cold air currents, resulting in rampant winds that accelerate sand particle drift and loss. These natural conditions have rendered the Kubuqi Desert desolate and barren, devoid of any vegetation, covered in yellow sand, resembling a silent and lifeless "Sea of Death."

In fact, thousands of years ago, the Kubuqi Desert was not so desolate. Traces of ancient human activities indicate the existence of oases. However, due to climate change and excessive human development, desertification gradually took hold, eventually stripping the land of its vitality.

For the herders living on the edge of the desert, the Kubuqi Desert posed a significant threat. The ubiquitous yellow sand irritated their eyes and respiratory systems, and even carried sandstorms that claimed the lives of their livestock, forcing them to abandon their homes and seek employment in cities. More alarmingly, the sand dust released by the Kubuqi Desert not only endangered surrounding areas but also spread to the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, intensifying smog and jeopardizing the health of hundreds of millions of urban residents, making the restoration of the Kubuqi Desert an urgent task.

"Water Diversion to Sand": Introducing the Water of the Yellow River into the Sea of Sand

To combat the encroaching desert, people racked their brains for solutions. Finally, the "Water Diversion to Sand" project emerged, incorporating the Kubuqi Desert into the strategic planning and ushering in a new chapter for desert transformation.

The Kubuqi Desert is strategically located, bordering the Altay Mountains to the west, the Yin Mountains to the north, and the Yellow River to the south. The Hangjin Banner government keenly observed that vast amounts of water resources were wasted during the Yellow River's annual floods, inspiring the idea of utilizing these resources to "replenish" the desert.

In 1999, the "Water Diversion to Sand" water conservancy project received official approval and was formally launched. Following years of feasibility studies and planning, the first phase of the project commenced construction in 2004, and the second phase was initiated in 2009 and 2011 respectively. The entire project spans a total length of 584 kilometers, equivalent to the distance from Beijing to Shanghai, with a water diversion capacity of 245 million cubic meters and an investment exceeding 10 billion yuan, reflecting the government's unwavering commitment to desert restoration.

However, project implementation presented numerous challenges. The Kubuqi Desert boasts a harsh climate with rampant winds and frequent sandstorms, significantly hindering construction efforts. Workers could only excavate canals amidst the swirling yellow sand, venturing deep into the sea of sand while carrying heavy equipment and supplies, enduring arduous labor.

Pipe laying proved even more challenging. The steel pipes used in the project weigh several tons, even reaching tens of tons, making transportation and hoisting extremely difficult on the soft and shifting sand. A slight misstep could result in pipe deformation, tilting, or even collapse. The construction team tirelessly experimented and developed specialized equipment, overcoming countless obstacles to ultimately complete pipe laying.

Waterway crossings posed another challenge. To avoid disrupting the river's ecosystem, pipelines had to be elevated or rerouted across natural waterways like the Yellow River. This required the design of intricate bridge and culvert structures, ensuring smooth water flow while considering river hydrology, showcasing the ingenuity and talent of the engineers.

After over a decade of arduous work, the Water Diversion to Sand project was finally completed, bringing "living water" into the sea of sand and infusing the once lifeless sand dunes with vitality. Oases and wetlands gradually emerged, attracting water birds to nest and creating a picturesque ecological panorama.

Yellow River Silt: The Secret Weapon for Desert Rebirth

While diverting water to the sand is crucial, solely relying on water would likely not have brought about such a significant change in the desert. The silt carried by the Yellow River is the secret weapon behind the desert's rebirth.

The Yellow River water is extremely high in silt content, known as "seven parts silt in one bucket of water." This silt, upon entering the sea of sand, binds sand particles together, enhancing the sand's cohesiveness, allowing the once loose sand to absorb and retain water, creating favorable conditions for vegetation growth, ultimately leading to the desert's gradual greening.

The physical and chemical properties of the silt play a key role in its effectiveness. Yellow River silt is rich in clay minerals and organic matter, acting as a natural binder and nutrient source. Clay minerals expand upon absorbing water, forming a gel-like film on the surface of sand particles, adhering them to each other. Organic matter provides nutrients for vegetation growth. The silt transforms loose sand into an organic whole, significantly enhancing the sand's ability to retain water and sustain life, akin to the components in human blood that bind cells together, giving them vitality.

Satellite images visually depict the profound transformations in the Kubuqi Desert's landscape. This ancient natural desert has regained its vitality through the efforts of generations. The restored area boasts a vegetation coverage rate exceeding 90%, with the desert edge radiating newfound vitality.

Ecological Restoration: A Three-in-One Approach of Water, Silt, and Vegetation

Desert restoration relies not only on water and silt but also on long-term ecological restoration. Alongside project construction, the Hangjin Banner government actively engages in afforestation, planting native tree species like Haloxylon ammodendron, Populus euphratica, and Salix, whose root systems stabilize sand and their canopies provide shade, further enhancing soil moisture retention.

Moreover, the government has shifted away from traditional grazing practices, adopting wind-resistant sheep breeds, minimizing damage to the grassland ecosystem and creating favorable conditions for green growth amidst the yellow sand. The three-in-one approach of water, silt, and vegetation, coupled with rational planning and human activities, has collectively orchestrated the miracle of the Kubuqi Desert's return to life.

From "Sea of Death" to "Green Oasis": A Glimpse into the Future of Kubuqi Desert

Through ecological restoration, the Kubuqi Desert has undergone a dramatic transformation. The sight of flying sand and dust storms has disappeared, replaced by a vibrant oasis. The restored land is more fertile, allowing villagers to live a prosperous life through hard work. The once "Sea of Death" has become a "Sea of Life."

The future Kubuqi Desert will become a platform for supporting local economic development, providing new impetus for employment, industry, and income.

• Developing Characteristic Farming and Livestock Industries: Building on a stable ecological foundation, villagers can expand the cultivation of sand-resistant plants like sea buckthorn and sweet flag, developing characteristic agricultural products. These products, processed and marketed under established brands, can boost farmers' incomes. Simultaneously, improving livestock farming methods and breeding livestock suitable for sandy environments can enhance farming efficiency.

• Developing Eco-Tourism: The restored Kubuqi Desert boasts beautiful ecological landscapes, attracting numerous tourists. It is possible to establish desert-themed parks, sightseeing farms (or ranches), campgrounds, and other facilities, incorporating unique attractions like sand sculptures, camel riding, and sand dune off-roading. This can entice tourists to explore desert culture while stimulating the development of rural tourism and local product sales.

• Developing New Energy Industries: Abundant sunlight exposure makes the Kubuqi Desert ideal for developing photovoltaic power generation. The government can attract investors to build distributed photovoltaic power stations and connect them to the urban power grid, providing clean energy reserves for the renewable energy strategy while offering power support to pastoral areas surrounding the desert.

• Cultivating Market-Oriented Talent: The development of the desert industry demands a large pool of versatile individuals adept at modern business management. The government can organize training programs to enhance herders' skills, encouraging collaboration between outside talent and local residents for entrepreneurship, promoting employment, retaining population, and achieving endogenous development.

With collaborative efforts from all sides, the Kubuqi Desert is poised to embrace a brighter future.

References:

• "The 14th Five-Year Plan for the Construction and Development of the Yellow River Irrigation Area of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region" (December 2021), released by the Water Resources Department of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

• "The Yellow River Project Has Been Running for 20 Years, Green Oasis Is Everywhere in the "Sea of Death" in Kubuqi" (August 19, 2022), an article on the official website of the Hangjin Banner government

• "Water Diversion to Sand, Green Dream Building for 20 Years, Desert Miracle Restores the "Sea of Death"" (August

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