For Shi his millions has been hard earned. At first, family and friends opposed his bold project to tame the desert by planting trees.

Recalling his then pleas to the community he said: "I said I have to do it...because if I don't, people will no longer be able to live here in the near future."

Eventually Shi persuaded seven local households to join his venture. Despite raising 750 yuan between them, about 122 U.S. dollars, they fell well short of the 16,300 U.S. dollars needed to purchase saplings.

Determined, Shi sold all of his sheep and pigs and obtained two loans from local banks.

One year later, 87 percent of the trees they planted remain standing. Shi has since set up his own sand-control business, gaining support from 100 local households.

In the past 30 years, he has planted trees across 16,700 hectares of desert. Along the way he has faced challenges.

After spending the spring of 1986 planting saplings on one 400-hectare area site known as Langwosha, 11 successive storms buffeted the region, killing 90 percent of the saplings.

The same thing happened the following year.

"Some felt frustrated and wanted to quit, because they thought it was a total waste of money," Shi said. "I told them I must make it work."

In 1988, after their third attempt using sand-proof barriers and planting shrubs alongside to protect the saplings, 80 percent of the saplings survived.

Just two years later sandstorms became a rarity in this region.

Efforts to improve the environment have also benefited the pockets of local residents, with per capita income rising since the project began. Shi has also started other businesses including a pasture and farming operations and a vineyard.

"We hope that the vineyard can reach 330 hectares in the next five years", he said. "We also want to introduce Islamic grapes and make wine in the future."

Despite 30 years since planting his first sapling, Shi is not ready to rest on his laurels just yet.

"I spent most of my life fight against sandstorms, he said. I will never stop for as long as I live."