In recent years, Uxin Banner in Ordos, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region, has been focusing on the comprehensive control of desertification and the promotion of environmental development projects such as the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program.

Based on the current status of grasslands and forests in the Mu Us Desert area, Uxin Banner has adhered to a philosophy of integrated protection and restoration of mountains, rivers, forests, fields, lakes, grasslands, and deserts, and has concentrated on environmental protection and development in the Yellow River Basin. The banner has taken measures such as engineering sand fixation, artificial forestation, and artificial grassland planting to comprehensively manage the sandy land.

The land after the implementation of the sand control project. [Photo provided to investordos.goinnermongolia.com.cn]

The "Three-North" Phase VI project in Uxin Banner includes the comprehensive treatment of sandy land on the east side of the northern section, the east side of the middle section, and the eastern section of the wind outlet sand-blocking belt in Ordos' Mu Us Desert. The three sub-projects are expected to take a combined three years (2024-2026) to complete, and construction work consists of engineering sand fixation, artificial forest planting, and artificial grass planting. The project has received a total of 1.49 billion yuan ($210.54 million) in investment.

Grid sand barriers. [Photo provided to investordos.goinnermongolia.com.cn]

Construction progress on the three sub-projects:

(1) Comprehensive treatment of sandy land on the east side of the northern section of the wind outlet sand-blocking belt of Ordos' Mu Us Desert in Ordos

With an investment of approximately 499 million yuan, 41,500 mu (2,767 hectares) of artificial arbor forests, 166,000 mu of artificial shrub forests, 95,800 mu of artificial grass, and 254,800 mu of engineering sand stabilization have been implemented.

So far, 46,780 mu of artificial forests and 43,300 mu of artificial grasslands have been completed, along with 54,020 mu of engineering sand stabilization.

(2) Comprehensive treatment of sandy land on the east side of the middle section of the wind outlet sand-blocking belt of Ordos' Mu Us Desert in Ordos

With an investment of approximately 497 million yuan, 42,800 mu of artificial arbor forests, 171,200 mu of artificial shrub forests, 96,300 mu of artificial grass, and 260,100 mu of engineering sand stabilization have been implemented.

To date, 37,400 mu of artificial forests and 63,200 mu of artificial grasslands have been completed, along with 44,300 mu of engineering sand stabilization.

(3) Comprehensive treatment of sandy land on the eastern section of the wind outlet sand-blocking belt of Ordos' Mu Us Desert in Ordos

With an investment of about 493 million yuan, 19,600 mu of artificial arbor forests, 171,600 mu of artificial shrub forests, 134,300 mu of artificial grasslands, and 253,600 mu of engineering sand stabilization have been implemented.

To date, 29,800 mu of artificial forests and 44,600 mu of artificial grass have been completed, along with 41,600 mu of engineering sand stabilization.