In a feat straight out of a climate action movie , China has fully encircled the Taklimakan Desert—once dubbed the 'Sea of Death'—with a 3,046-kilometer green belt designed to combat desertification. The final stretch, planted this week in Xinjiang’s Yutian County, features hardy species like desert poplar and saxaul that thrive in arid conditions.
Known as the world’s second-largest shifting sand desert, the Taklimakan has long challenged communities with dust storms and encroaching sands. The newly completed barrier, a project decades in the making, aims to protect ecosystems and nearby cities like Hotan. \"This isn’t just about trees—it’s about securing our future,\" said a Xinjiang forestry official.
Scientists compare the green belt to a 'Great Wall' against desert expansion, blending traditional knowledge with modern techniques. For Gen Z eco-warriors, it’s a real-life Avatar: The Last Airbender moment—proving humans can work with nature, not against it.
, China has fully encircled the Taklimakan Desert—once dubbed the 'Sea of Death'—with a 3,046-kilometer green belt designed to combat desertification. The final stretch, planted this week in Xinjiang’s Yutian County, features hardy species like desert poplar and saxaul that thrive in arid conditions.
\"This isn’t just about trees—it’s about securing our future,\" said a Xinjiang forestry official.
Hero Pine Fights Desertification in China's Green Wall
