OIPDB JUNE 15,2023
The International Day for Combating Desertification and the 3rd Taklimakan Desert Forum and the “Great Green Wall of Africa” workshop held in Korla, China’s Xinjiang province marked the sixth day, and the Ethiopian delegation discussed strategies and best practices for combating desertification in the lowlands by Andreas Geeta (Dr. /r) Minister of State for Irrigation was briefed and all participating countries exchanged their experience in combating desertification.
After the participants presented their experiences, they made a field observation (visit) to deal with desertification and combat desertification. China has faced major challenges and the strategy used to overcome this problem. Chinese scientists, researchers and experts provided theoretical and practical training to the participants. From this experience, firstly, to support the biological method to prevent desertification, we collected about 480 plant species from all over China’s administrative regions, identified and selected plants that can withstand desertification, and carried out work on a demonstration site to plant these plants on a large scale in 2018. In 1992, the Chinese government launched an ecological construction project named “Ecological construction project” based on the “0” point of the Tarim desert project to prevent desertification.
This area is known for “petroleum” deposits and because the asphalt road was not covered with sand to transport the resources, it was difficult to plant the different plants on the side of the road and to irrigate the planted plants with drip irrigation using the ground water with solar energy. On both sides, the road was covered with sand by carrying out planting in an area of 72 meters by 78 meters. They have created a good image for Akaba.
After this field training, the participants proceeded to the Cele National Research Station and visited the practical work carried out by the station after receiving training. In general, it was understood that work has been done that has made it possible to turn the desert, which has caused damage to the ecology and human life, to a point where it is beneficial.
Source: Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands-Ethiopia
