Shiliuyun-Xinjiang Daily (Reporter Du Jianhui) news: "A green shelterbelt around the edge of the Taklimakan Desert has been completed, and as a firsthand witness, I am incredibly excited. Next year, we plan to expand the cultivation area." On November 29, 2024, at the Hedong shelterbelt station in the heart of the Taklimakan Desert, Patigul Yasen and her colleagues navigated through the Haloxylon ammodendron forest, meticulously selecting and collecting high-quality Haloxylon ammodendron seeds.

In 2005, at the age of 23, Patigul joined the Qiemo desertification control station, becoming one of the first forest rangers dedicated to combating sand encroachment in the area. Over the past two decades, she has faced numerous challenges, digging holes for planting trees and constructing straw checkerboard sand barriers, dedicating her prime years to this arid land.

Once an energetic young girl, she has now entered middle age, her youthful bloom exchanged for the lush greenery that now flourishes in the once-barren desert.

Photo taken on November 29, 2024 shows Patigul Yasen collects Haloxylon ammodendron seeds at Hedong shelterbelt station in Qiemo County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Su Xin)

Protecting our homeland through planting trees

When Patigul was a second-year middle school student, she participated in the tree planting activities in the desert for the first time. It was in 1998, each student was equipped with a shovel and a small bucket, digging holes and watering saplings in a relay from the Cherchen River.

"Will these saplings survive in the desert? Why plant trees here?" Patigul questioned, filled with doubt, as she struggled to comprehend the significance of the endeavor. Her father explained, "Qiemo has a history where people were forced to relocate due to the relentless advance of the desert. Therefore, we must plant trees here to protect our home."

The area of the desert in Qiemo County exceeds one-third of its total land area, separated from the county town by only the Cherchen River. To mitigate the desert's encroachment on the oasis, in 1998, Qiemo County established a windbreak and desertification control station, exploring ecological management strategies at the desert's edge east of the Cherchen River.

In 2005, the Qiemo desertification control station began recruiting workers for desert reclamation. Understanding the significance of afforestation, Patigul eagerly signed up to participate in the tree-planting efforts in the desert. However, after just a few months, she returned home to express her frustrations to her father, saying, "The work at the desert station is too exhausting; every day involves cutting reeds, digging holes for planting trees, constructing straw checkerboard, and laying drip irrigation pipes. I simply can't take it anymore." She wanted to resign.

Her father's words struck a chord with her, "The older generation lacks the strength to continue, and the youth are unwilling to take on this responsibility. Who will manage the desertification efforts? Are we just going to watch our home be consumed by the desert and leave our land behind?"

Looking at the distant sand dunes, Patigul suddenly felt a strong sense of mission. From that moment on, she never mentioned leaving the desert station again and silently vowed to ensure that this desert would be filled with lush greenery.

Photo taken on November 29, 2024 shows Patigul Yasen stands atop a sand dune at Hedong shelterbelt station in Qiemo County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Su Xin)

Stoping the desert moving towards the county

Patigul enjoys standing on the sand dunes, watching the Haloxylon ammodendron trees grow, saying, "They are like my children, growing day by day, transforming from individual seedlings into clusters of vibrant green."

The process of combating desertification through afforestation is incredibly challenging. During busy periods, returning home is not an option, and for Patigul, lunch consists of a piece of naan and a jug of water. "The wind and sand are so strong that sand gets into the food, but luckily the naan is dry and a little shaking gets rid of the sand," Patigul said with a smile.

In 2015, the Hedong shelterbelt station in Qiemo County began installing drip irrigation systems without any machinery; the pipes were entirely carried by hand and shoulder. Walking in the desert is already difficult, and Patigul had to drag several meters of pipe while climbing sand dunes. Sometimes, after reaching the top, the pipe would suddenly fall, requiring her to descend and retrieve it. Eventually, she choose to tie the pipe around her waist for easier transport.

Despite the challenges of life and the weariness from work, nothing compares to the deep sadness that Patigul and her team experience. This sorrow arises when they see the saplings they have carefully planted being carried away by powerful sandstorms.

One spring, while Patigul and her colleagues were planting trees, a sandstorm struck suddenly, darkening the sky in an instant. They huddled together, fearing that someone might be blown away by the fierce winds. After the storm passed, they stood up, covered in dust, only to find that not a single sapling remained. "The sandstorm was particularly fierce, breaking several electricity pylons at the shelterbelt station and blowing away more than half of the 666.67 hectares of Haloxylon ammodendron saplings. We had to replant for three consecutive years," Patigul said.

After prolonged exposure to the sun and wind, Patigul's face has become deeply tanned. Despite trying various cosmetics, she cannot conceal her dark skin. Her colleagues affectionately call her the "Black Rose."

Today, after generations of effort, a green wall has been established along the desert's edge on the eastern bank of the Cherchen River, stretching 23 kilometers long and one to seven kilometers wide, covering an area of about 8,667 hectares. This has significantly reduced the average annual days of sandstorms and floating dust in Qiemo County, effectively halting the desert's encroachment towards the town.

Photo taken on April 19, 2024 shows Patigul Yasen (L) with her colleague in Qiemo County, Bayingolin Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo by Su Xin)

Encouraging greater participation in desertification control

"This winter, the Hedong shelterbelt station in Qiemo County is expected to harvest 650 tons of fresh Cistanche deserticola, with an estimated value of around 5.5 million yuan (about 758,011 U.S. dollars)," said Abbas Aisa, the head of the Qiemo desertification control station, with evident satisfaction about the annual income generated by the base.

With the expansion of green initiatives, Patigul and her team are actively exploring the development of a desert economy by cultivating Cistanche deserticola under the Haloxylon ammodendron trees, effectively integrating desert management with economic growth, and achieving notable success. They have also introduced other cash crops such as melon and Isatis root, paving a unique path for the development of a specialized desert industry that realizes both ecological and economic benefits.

Since the introduction of Cistanche deserticola cultivation at the Hedong shelterbelt station, local villager Dawuti Hasimu from Arele Village has been operating a tractor for sowing and harvesting Cistanche deserticola. "I earn over 60,000 yuan annually, and it's close to home, so it doesn't interfere with my family's farming activities," Dawuti expressed with enthusiasm.

"We never thought that this desert could 'yield gold,'" Patigul proudly said.

Following the coverage of Patigul and her colleagues' efforts in desertification control and afforestation, many have come to learn from their experience, hoping to replicate Qiemo County's successful model in other desertification-prone areas.

In 2021, a young man from Shandong, Rong Xinyu, was inspired by the story of Patigul dedicating her youth to combating desertification. He traveled to Qiemo to join the volunteer team focused on desert reclamation. Rong Xinyu expressed, "I want to stand shoulder to shoulder with the desert restoration team, helping to cultivate more trees and turning the desert green."

Wherever Patigul goes, she shares the benefits of desert reclamation, hoping to encourage more individuals to participate in this vital work. "Even after I retire, my heart will always remain here. I wish for the greenery of this desert to increase year by year," Patigul said, her eyes filled with hope.

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