Meng He, a deputy to the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Regional People's Congress and secretary of the CPC Ongniud Banner Committee, recently visited the Horqin Sandy Land Ecological Restoration and New Energy Base. He engaged with local officials and residents to identify challenges and propose solutions for combating desertification.

Over the past year, Meng led the banner's cadres and residents in advancing desertification control initiatives and integrated wind-solar energy projects. These efforts pioneered a unique desertification control model characterized by a coordinated approach: government overall planning, departmental leadership, township implementation, grassroots responsibility, and community participation.

"To date, we have comprehensively restored 5.51 million mu (367,333.33 hectares) of sandy land, reaching a restoration rate of 82.6 percent. Sixteen sand-penetrating roads spanning 480 kilometers have been constructed, enabling the restoration of 3.51 million mu of sandy areas along their routes," said Meng.

He highlighted the success of the "road-based desert control" approach, exemplified by the 13th sand road, the Wudan-Baiyintaohai Expressway, which was named one of China's Top 10 Most Beautiful Rural Roads in 2023.

Meng, emphasizing the far-reaching impact of these efforts, said: "The 'road-based desert control' strategy facilitates the transport of restoration materials into the heart of the desert, improves residents' livelihoods, enhances agricultural and livestock product trade, and fosters eco-tourism. Local people's lives have significantly improved."

The ecological restoration efforts have also attracted major new energy projects. Enterprises like Jingneng (110,000 kW) and Datang (200,000 kW) have connected photovoltaic power projects to the grid within the Horqin Sandy Land Ecological Restoration and New Energy Base.

Community enthusiasm for desertification control has also grown. Over 4,500 farmers and herders participate in the "work-for-relief" model, generating labor income of 23.5 million yuan ($3.24 million).

"I will continue to shoulder the significant political responsibility of leading the fight to restore the Horqin Sandy Land," Meng said. "By conducting in-depth research, gathering insights from grassroots cadres and residents, and consulting with experts in the field, I will promote Ongniud Banner's innovative practices, amplify the voices of farmers and herders, and deliver a high-quality performance as a deputy."