the barrier will act as a critical ecological buffer that prevents further sand encroachment and protects the Yellow River.
Called simply the desert edge-locking project, this approach was designed to fix shifting dunes by planting vegetation belts along the desert's perimeter, preventing further encroachment.
Sand control often suffers setbacks as fixed dunes can start to shift again. To prevent this, workers plan to sow grass and desert-adapted shrubs within the checkerboard grid once the rainy season arrives. Once rooted, the vegetation is expected to lock the sand for the long term.
The belt serves as a natural defense line against the eastward spread of the Tengger Desert, which spans approximately 43,000 square kilometers.
Zhongwei, located between the Qilian and Helan mountains, is the sole gateway for the Tengger Desert's eastward expansion. Experts say the barrier will act as a critical ecological buffer that prevents further sand encroachment and protects the Yellow River.