Land Greening

Ecological priority and green development are concepts generated from the strategic height of sustainable development of the Chinese nation, and they are also practical choices in meeting the current needs of the people for a beautiful ecological environment. Shaanxi's ecological environment protection is crucial not only to its own high-quality development, but also to the overall development of the country.

From the concept that "lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets" to the ideology that "if we do not fail Nature, Nature shall never fail us", Shaanxi has become more confident in its commitment to green development and has made significant achievements in ecological protection.

In desertification control, Shaanxi has become the first province in China to have completely stabilized the mobile sandy land. Altogether 8.6 million mu(5,733.62 km2) of mobile sandy land along the Yellow River has been fixed or semi-fixed, and the hazards of sandstorms have been controlled. Desertification control has extended 400 kilometers of Shaanxi's green territory to the north, creating a green miracle of China and even of the whole world.

Besides, Shaanxi is the first province and one of the best provinces in China to initiate the strategy of returning the farmland to forestry and the grassland. Since 1999, a total of 41.3064 million mu （27,551.37 km2）of farmland has been returned to forestry and grassland.2.25 million mu（1,507.5 km2）of artificial afforestation and 294,000 mu（196.98 km2）of aerial afforestation have been completed.Moreover,1.0705 million mu（713.67 km2）of sandy land has been brought under control, and 80.1 million trees have been planted by volunteers.

In terms of wetland protection, Shaanxi is rich in wetland resources. The wetland covers a total area of 308,500 hectares, including four categories and 12 types, such as river wetland, lake wetland, marsh wetland and constructed wetland, among which river wetland accounts for 83.50% of the total wetland area of the province.

In terms of soil and water conservation, Shaanxi Province leads the country in achieving ecological restoration. A total of 81,600 km2of soil erosion has been brought under control, and 34,000 silt dams have been built, accounting for 58% of the total in China.

Today, overlooking Shaanxi Province, a magnificent picture decorated with green stretches thousands of miles from Northern to Southern Shaanxi. The green environment pervades in Yulin, Yan'an, the Guanzhong Plain, Qinling-Daba Mountain Range, and the rest of whole Shaanxi Province.