China set to encircle largest desert with green belt by year-end

CHINA: China is set to complete the construction of a green belt around the Taklimakan Desert by the end of this year, according to the Forestry and Grassland Authority in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. The green belt, which aims to combat desertification, was already 2,761 km long by the end of last year.

Tuhti Rahman, Director of Xinjiang’s Forestry and Grassland Bureau, announced that about 285 km of the final stretch is expected to be finished by year’s end. This will fully encircle the Taklimakan Desert, which spans 337,600 square kilometres.

Rahman noted that the final stretch is particularly challenging due to severe wind and sand issues in southern Xinjiang.

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This project is part of China’s larger Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Programme, the world’s largest afforestation initiative. Launched in 1978, this programme aims to combat desertification in northwest, north, and northeast China and is scheduled to be completed by 2050.