China's 'Green Great Wall' tames desert growth but fight not over

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, September 20, 2026

For nearly five decades, millions of workers in northern China have used a grid-based planting method called “straw checkerboards” as part of the Three-North Protective Forest Program to successfully reduce desertified land by restoring vegetation. This large-scale afforestation effort, covering half of China and supported by government investment and local labor, highlights the importance of sustained management and community involvement to ensure long-term environmental and economic benefits.

For nearly fifty years, millions of workers in northern China have engaged in a concerted effort to combat desertification by stabilizing shifting sand dunes through a method known as “straw checkerboards.” This technique involves inserting short sticks into the sand in a grid pattern, followed by planting saplings within each square, supported by irrigation systems. The approach forms a broad lattice that has become emblematic of China’s extensive afforestation campaign called the Three-North Protective Forest Program, or the Green Great Wall.

Initiated in 1978, the program aims to halt the expansion of desert landscapes that have long been driven by drought, over-grazing, and unsustainable farming practices. These factors have led to land degradation and the spread of desertified areas vulnerable to wind erosion and sandstorms. According to Chinese government data, the total area of desertified land in northern China peaked around 2000 and has since shrunk by more than 1,000 square kilometers annually.

The program now encompasses nearly half of China, with restored forests covering approximately 500,000 square kilometers. This afforestation effort has been described as a major environmental and political undertaking, earning praise from experts such as Barron Joseph Orr, chief scientist for the UN Convention to Combat Desertification. Orr highlighted the importance of sustained political commitment in achieving long-term restoration, noting that successful reversal of desertification requires integrating ecological goals with broader development strategies.

The program’s progress has been attributed to both the labor of rural workers and significant government investment. Zhu Jiaojun, a scientist with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, noted that increased rainfall in some areas has facilitated vegetation recovery. Data analyzed by Zhu’s team indicate that overall desertified land in the region has declined by about 10% since 2000, while areas classified as severely or extremely desertified have decreased by more than 40%. Forest cover in the management zone rose from roughly 5% in 1978 to 14% in 2022.

In the Kubuqi Desert, around 800 kilometers west of Beijing, veteran sand-control worker Yin Yuzhen described the transformation firsthand. Forty years ago, sandstorms frequently obscured visibility, but today, greenery and clear roads are visible in the distance. Yin and her family continue to maintain the planted areas, joined at times by local volunteers. Experts estimate that over 300 million rural laborers have contributed to the program, mostly in part-time, paid roles.

Despite the achievements, challenges remain in ensuring the long-term sustainability of restored ecosystems. Orr emphasized that while dryland restoration can become increasingly self-supporting, it requires ongoing management, monitoring of water resources, and soil health. Environmental groups like Green Camel Bell in Gansu province advocate linking desertification control efforts to local livelihoods to ensure communities benefit economically from ecological restoration. Zhao Zhong, the group’s founder, stressed the importance of aligning conservation with sustainable economic development.

Looking forward, Zhu raised concerns about how progress can be maintained if human intervention and investment decline. Yin expressed hope that younger generations will carry on the work, underscoring the need to foster a deep respect for the environment. “If we love it with all our hearts, nature will love us in return,” she said, reflecting a sentiment shared by those dedicated to reversing desertification in northern China.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.