Earthkeepers: Desert Greening

Project Summary

In 2001, Timberland started on one of its community service projects to support greening activities in China's Horqin Desert that is situated in Inner Mongolia, through Japan based non-profit organisation – GreenNet.

Overgrazing of the land and excessive deforestation by Man has led to desertification which has changed the once lush and green Horqin Pasture into Horqin Desert. Timberland continues its tree planting activities in Horqin Desert, hoping that it will recover its lush greenness. Since April 2010, we have planted 1 million trees, and have just embarked on a journey to plant another 2 million.

Horqin Desert: Once Upon A Pasture

Located in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of Tongliao, Horqin Desert was once named Horqin Pasture for its fertile soil and flourishing grasslands. The same cannot be described of the place today.

Population in Inner Mongolia has multiplied four-fold while livestock has increased by 300 times within the past decade. With farmers trying to utilise what little land is left to feed and rear animals, the grasslands is being grazed to its roots. The farmers' limited knowledge on environmental awareness and the lack of government support also contribute to the Horqin land's rapid deterioration.

Desertification of Horqin has also resulted in sand and soil made loose by the lack of roots and this creates sandstorms when carried by strong wind across regions like Japan and China.

With the Horqin Desert expanding at a rate of 10,000 sq km per year, this is undeniably an issue that requires urgent ecological attention.

What's Next

Moving ahead, Timberland aims to increase efforts to protect China and its neighbouring countries by planting another million trees, this time in a span of five years. Supported by Green Net, we hope that this new chapter of tree planting will continue to aid in reducing China's sandstorms and reverse mass desertification.

Video – Turning the Horqin Desert into the Timberland Forest