Inner Mongolia prevents and controls sand by building highways

Wubai Highway is the 13th desert-crossing highway opened in Horqin Sandy Land, Wengniute Banner, Chifeng City, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, and it is also the longest asphalt desert-crossing highway in Chifeng so far. 　

Wengniute Banner is located at the west edge of Horqin Sandy Land. In many years of practice, it has explored the mode of "sand prevention and control by building highways." By constructing desert-crossing highways, the sandy land is divided into several plates. Sand barriers are laid on both sides of the road, and sandy plants are planted to restore the vegetation on the sandy land and fix the quicksand along the road. 　

By the end of June 2023, a total area of 3,373 square kilometres of sandy land has been prevented and controlled under comprehensive management in Wengniuate Banner, accounting for 75.86% of the total area of sandy land. The forest coverage rate has increased from 0.5% in 1949 to 29.6%.