Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Li Xing) news: "The section of protective forest under our management has 26 rows of trees on the east side and 15 rows on the west side. Every day, we check the growth and watering conditions of the saplings. If there are any loose fittings or leaks in the water supply pipes, we address them with repairs or replacement." Each morning, after breakfast, the couple, Wang Yabin and Wei Yali, embark on their daily routine of caring for a four-kilometer stretch of protective forest along the Tarim Desert Highway, a task they fulfill with commitment.

Photo shows Wang Yabin and Wei Yali at their patrol area along the Tarim Desert Highway, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Li Xing)

Along the 436-kilometer green forest that lines the Tarim Desert Highway, there are 108 well houses, each watched over by a forest guard. For many years, it has been the commitment of forest guards like Wang Yabin and his wife that has transformed this green corridor into a formidable barrier, preventing shifting sands from engulfing the highway and safeguarding the important way for China's oil and gas transportation.

Ahead of World Environment Day in 2024, the exceptional efforts of this dedicated couple were recognized, earning them a place in an autonomous region-level commendation event.

As guardians of the highway, they endure fierce winds and scorching heat

In 1993, the Tarim Oilfield constructed the Tarim Desert Highway to access oil and gas resources in the heart of the Taklimakan Desert.

Despite the construction of the highway, shifting sand in the desert posed a significant challenge. Without proper protective measures, the road surface would quickly be buried by sands. To combat desertification and safeguard the highway, workers in the oil industry constructed straw checkerboard sand barriers with reeds and placed them on both sides of the highway.

Over a period of three to four years, these sand barriers effectively reduced the mobility of the sand, creating favorable conditions for the planting of windbreak and sand-fixing vegetation. Species such as red willow, Populus euphratica, and oleaster were planted, gradually establishing a 436-kilometer-long and 72-78-meter wide greenbelt along the Tarim Desert Highway.

Workers have also established a comprehensive irrigation system to maintain the greenbelt. Every four kilometers, there is a well house, with a total of 108 well houses. Each well house is guarded by a couple, who are responsible for the upkeep of approximately 40 rows of trees, a total number of about 200,000 trees, within a four-kilometer radius.

Wang Yabin and Wei Yali, both in their fifties, have been working at one of the well houses for over 10 years. Their daily responsibilities include irrigation and fertilization.

Photo shows working environment of Wang Yabin and Wei Yali. Adjacent to the well house are three solar photovoltaic panels, which provide the sole energy source for Wang Yabin and his wife. For these panels to operate efficiently, they require regular cleaning to remove any accumulated sand. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Li Xing)

At 9 a.m. every day, the couple opens the drip irrigation valves and monitors the water pressure gauge, followed by an inspection along their four-kilometer jurisdiction.

In addition to their regular duties, during the months of April, June, and August, Wang Yabin and Wei Yali diligently apply fertilizer to the trees and carry out essential maintenance on the drip irrigation system's piping. Wang Yabin highlighted the system's enhanced efficiency, stating, "With the integration of smart valves into the water pipes, any irregularities detected by the pressure gauge can be swiftly traced to the specific valve responsible for the leakage." To further expedite repairs, he has meticulously created a valve position map, enabling prompt access to any areas requiring attention.

Living in the desert, they have grown accustomed to the scorching heat, but the unpredictable sandstorms pose the greatest challenge. "If we encountered the sandstorm, we could hardly get back to our home, only seek shelter beneath the drainage well," Wang Yabin said with a smile, noting that there are times when inclement weather persists for an entire week.

"We experience thunderstorms back home, but here, the sandstorms strike particularly swiftly," Wei Yali shared, mentioning that after witnessing them frequently, she has eventually become accustomed to them.

As guardians of the highway, they endure solitude in the vast desert

In front of the well house, Wei Yali planted numerous sunflowers using discarded water buckets.

"These kinds of flowers are easy to grow. The days are too desolate and lonely, but when the flowers bloom, they uplift my spirits," Wei Yali said with a smile while watching the vibrant sunflowers.

During the eight-month growth period of the plants, it is challenging for the couple to remain stationed in the Taklimakan Desert, often referred to as the "Sea of Death." They must contend not only with harsh environmental conditions but also with feelings of isolation.

"The first year was unbearable; there was no television, and our daily lives and work relied solely on a generator that roared all day long. We had to shout to hear each other. When the generator stopped at night, we were left in darkness. Many people couldn't endure this kind of life and left," Wei Yali recounted.

Photo shows forest guardians, Wang Yabin and Wei Yali. (Photo by Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily/ Li Xing)

"Being a guardian, life is more challenging than work." Wang Yabin said, back in the initial years they worked in this place, there was almost no signal in the desert. During the day, they relied on a diesel engine to pump water for irrigation, and at night, they had no electricity. "Back then, there was no signal, and we could barely connect to the internet, leaving us essentially disconnected from the outside world. Food storage was a challenge; we hesitated to purchase fresh produce, let alone meat."

In June 2022, the Tarim Desert Highway zero-carbon demonstration project was completed, with 86 solar photovoltaic stations replacing diesel power generation. Thousands of solar panels continuously converted sunlight into energy to pump water for irrigation, providing a "green" water source for the ecological protective forest and achieving zero carbon emissions along the highway. The Tarim Desert Highway became China's first zero-carbon desert highway. As a result, the couple's living conditions improved significantly. They now had 24-hour electricity, and the Tarim Oilfield Company supplied the well house with air conditioning, a refrigerator, and a television. Although mobile signals were intermittent, the television signal remained stable, making life much less monotonous than before.

Over time, the couple gradually adapted to the monotonous life and work in the desert, but the longing for their family remained. Their son works in Xi'an, and their daughter is still in high school. The couple communicate with them through an unstable network. Wei Yali has even discovered the optimal location for the strongest signal near the well house.

"Our son and daughter make a weekly phone call to us," the couple shared. Each conversation with their children brings immense joy. Unfortunately, poor signal quality often disrupts video calls, leaving the couple to exchange their expressions of longing through photos sent by their daughter.

"We send our daughter four to five hundred yuan each month for her living expenses, but she is always hesitant to spend it," Wei Yali confided with a hint of guilt in her voice.

As guardians of the highway, they love to see the lush greenery thriving

"This tree was only as tall as my lower leg when we first planted it, and now it has grown so tall," said Wang Yabin, who, alongside his wife, has planted countless trees in the shelterbelt.

"Spending so much time here, watching these saplings grow taller day by day, I’ve developed a connection with them." During her work time, Wei Yali enjoys climbing to higher vantage points to capture the surrounding landscape with her phone. "Standing atop a hill, surrounded by vibrant greenery, brings a sense of accomplishment. I came here at 42, and now at 55, I've found this decade of work to be quite meaningful."

When discussing the trees in the protective forest, the usually reserved Wang Yabin becomes more talkative. He can recount how he spent several days digging out seedlings that had been buried by a sandstorm; how he discovered a chewed water pipe just in time; and how to properly fertilize and treat the saplings to prevent pests when they first sprout. Under the maintenance of Wang Yabin and his wife, the saplings have grown tall and strong, now deeply rooted and lush.

Looking out at the shelterbelt from a distance, Wang Yabin smiled with sincerity, comparing the trees to his children. "What I'm doing is truly a legacy for future generations. It's an honor to plant trees and be a guardian in the desert!"

As the sun sets, golden rays illuminate the desert highway, with sacsaoul gently swaying in the evening breeze along the roadside. After years of continuous afforestation efforts, a protective forest belt measuring over 70 meters in width has been established alongside the Tarim Desert Highway, featuring the planting of 20.8 million saplings and the installation of over 20,000 kilometers of drip irrigation piping. The greenbelt spans an area of 3,200 hectares and achieves a carbon sequestration capacity of 20,000 tons annually.

With the dedication and care of those committed to desert greening, millions of plants have thrived, creating a beautiful green ribbon that enlivens the arid landscape and serves as a robust barrier for the Tarim Desert Highway. This green shield not only protects but also symbolizes hope for exploratory development and economic prosperity in southern Xinjiang.

(A written permission shall be obtained for reprinting, excerpting, copying and mirroring of the contents published on this website. Unauthorized aforementioned act shall be deemed an infringement, of which the actor shall be held accountable under the law.)