China has been promoting, for decades, a broad environmental intervention in areas of the Taklamakan Desertin the Xinjiang region, combining dune containment techniques, planting vegetation adapted to extreme conditions, and irrigation systems associated with local infrastructure.
The actions include a national program launched in 1978 to curb the advance of desertification in the north of the country, often called the “Great Green Wall”, is projected for completion in 2050.
In the Taklamakan Desert, considered one of the world’s largest sand deserts, the focus has been… the creation of vegetation strips intended to stabilize the soil and protect roads, pipelines, and human settlements..
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In November, Chinese state media outlets and international news agencies reported… the completion of a green belt of approximately 3.000 kilometers around the desert, the result of successive stages of planting and environmental management carried out over several decades.
Extreme conditions of the Taklamakan Desert and environmental planning
Taklamakan is known for High temperatures in the summer, intense cold in the winter, and frequent sandstorms..
These factors make both human settlement and the execution of infrastructure projects difficult, in addition to making the establishment of vegetation dependent on constant interventions.
Given this scenario, the Chinese government began to adopt long-term policies aimed at revegetation and dune control, coordinated with other environmental programs.
The call Forest Belt Program of the Three Northern Regions Its aim is to reduce soil erosion and decrease the spread of dust towards urban centers, especially in the north of the country.
Chessboard technique with straw for dune stabilization.
Among the techniques employed is the method known as straw “chessboard”.
In this system, bundles of material are partially buried in the sand, forming grids that They reduce wind speed at ground level..
The procedure helps to To stabilize shifting dunes and create initial conditions for planting drought-resistant seedlings and shrubs..
According to technical studies widely cited in Chinese literature, The straw also contributes to the temporary retention of moisture..
As it decomposes, the material increases the organic matter content of the topsoil.
This process is considered a preliminary step before the introduction of plant species adapted to arid environments.
Desert highway and protective green belt
One of the best-known projects in the region is the highway that crosses the Taklamakan Desert, connecting areas north and south of the Tarim Basin.
Construction on the road began in 1993 and it was inaugurated in 1995. significantly reducing transport distances in the region.
Official sources describe the main axis as approximately… 522 kilometers longalthough larger numbers appear when supplementary sections are included.
As time went on, it became clear that Asphalt alone would not be sufficient to withstand the advance of the dunes..
For this reason, it was implemented. a protective vegetation belt along the route.
Academic research describes this green corridor as a continuous strip of approximately 436 kilometers, created to reduce road burial and lower maintenance costs.
Irrigation in the desert and water challenges
The presence of vegetation in such a dry environment depends on regular irrigation, which led to the drilling of wells and the installation of underground drip irrigation systems.
Scientific studies on the Taklamakan Belt indicate the existence of more than a hundred wells used for this purpose, with different energy sources over time.
According to these surveys, Part of the pumping is done using solar panels..
Other sections still depend on electricity from the grid or from diesel engines, especially in earlier phases of the project.
Researchers emphasize that The system is not homogeneous from an energy standpoint., despite the gradual advancement of renewable solutions.
Water availability is also cited as one of the main sensitive points of the project.
Scientific articles analyze the use of groundwater with high salinity levels.
The studies discuss the effects of this resource on the soil and on the long-term sustainability of vegetation.
Studies indicate that the model may work. provided there is constant monitoring. to prevent excessive salinization and depletion of the water table.
Solar energy in northwest China and project association
Popular narratives about the Taklamakan Desert often associate its transformation with… Large solar power plants with central towers, movable mirrors, and thermal storage in molten salt heated to approximately 540 °C..
There are projects of this type in operation or in the testing phase. in northwest China, with power around 50 megawatts, according to international energy sector databases.
However, The publicly available documentation does not confirm this. that these specific power plants are located precisely within the Taklamakan Peninsula.
There is also no confirmation that they are directly involved. of the irrigation system of the Tarim Highway vegetation belt.
Energy experts note that Promotional content often combines information from different projects., situated in different arid regions, under the same narrative.
Official data on reforestation and vegetation cover in China
Despite the inaccuracies present in some simpler versions of the theme, there are figures widely reported by official sources and international organizations Regarding forest expansion in China.
Recent reports indicate that the country planted trees on a scale of tens of millions of hectares since the late 1970s.
According to reports cited by international news agencies, Chinese forest cover increased from about 10% in 1949 to over 25% by the end of 2023..
In the specific case of Taklamakan, authorities emphasize the green belt around the desert as part of the strategy to contain desertification and protect sensitive areas.
Environmental criticisms and risks of monoculture
At the same time, researchers and environmentalists have pointed out limitations in these large-scale reforestation projects.
One of the recurring criticisms concerns to the use of a few fast-growing species.
According to experts, this choice may increase vulnerability to pests, diseases and extreme weather events.
Other studies highlight that, in extremely arid regions, Intensive planting can require volumes of water that are difficult to maintain in the long term..
In the case of the Taklamakan belt, academic analyses discuss the balance between dune stabilization and potential impacts on groundwater resources.
Researchers indicate that The benefits and risks need to be evaluated continuously.as the project progresses.