China would need at least 10 years to curb desertification that
is exacerbating erosion around the world's highest and largest
wetlands, the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, preservation experts
have said.
Desertification has proven one of the worst ecological problems
harassing the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve in the remote
northwestern Qinghai Province, said Li Xiaonan, an official in
charge of wetland preservation in the reserve.
China launched a massive ecological preservation project in the
region in 2005 to restore pastureland and move herders out of
vulnerable areas.
"These measures have proven effective, but it will take about
five years to restore the ecology and at least 10 years to curb
desertification in the region," said Li.
Sanjiangyuan, meaning "the source of three rivers", is an area
where the Yangtze, the Yellow River and the Lancang River
originate. The 363,000-square kilometer area, located more than
4,000 meters above sea level, is home to the world's highest
wetlands.
Yet a 2003 national survey indicated 2.88 million hectares of
sandy land at the origins of the Yangtze and Yellow River
alone.
A group of scientists with the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Study
Institute of the Chinese Academy of Scientists warned the situation
would continue to deteriorate because of climate changes,
overgrazing and increasing human activities.
Desertification is not only damaging the pastureland and
hindering the development of the local animal husbandry industry,
it also destroys water conservancy by burying waterways and
speeding up evaporation, said Li Xiaonan.
Wetlands are shrinking across China, mostly a result of climate
changes, overgrazing and excessive exploitation of rivers.
China has earmarked 16.5 billion yuan (US$2.1 billion) to
protect and restore its wetlands during the 11th five-year-plan
period between 2006 and 2010.
(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2007)
