පරම්පරා තුනක් පුරාවට ඔට්ටු වී කාන්තාරය මට්ටු කළ බාබූෂා වැසියන්

Three generations transform desert into oasis in northwest China's Gansu

Three generations of a Chinese family have tirelessly worked to turn shifting sands into a sustainable oasis in Babusha, north west China's Gansu Province, showcasing a remarkable journey of resilience and innovation.

Once ravaged by shifting sands and devastating storms, the region of Babusha has undergone a significant transformation, as local pioneers and their descendants have dedicated their lives to nurturing a sustainable future for their community.

According to Guo Xi, an employee with the Babusha Forest Farm, the desert had been drifting southward at a rate of 7.5 meters per year since the 1960s and 70s, severely threatening local villages and farmland.

"So, the elders of my grandfather's generation began their efforts to control the desertification," he said.

Guo Xi's grandfather was one of six pioneers who initiated tree planting to combat the encroaching sandstorms. In the early years, their dedication faced numerous challenges, as many saplings were buried by the shifting dunes.

A pivotal moment came on May 5, 1993, when a devastating black storm struck the region, claiming the lives of over 20 schoolchildren.

"After the incident, I made up my mind that no matter how hard or exhausting it was, we had to persevere. We were determined to shrink the desert and could not allow the sandstorms to bury our land any longer," said Guo Wangang, Guo Xi's uncle, head of the Babusha Forest Farm, on reflecting to this tragedy.

Together, Guo Wangang and his fellow guardians developed an innovative planting method that utilized grids surrounded by straw to effectively hold back the sand. With Guo Xi's focus on mechanization, their efforts culminated in planting over 20,000 hectares of trees in Babusha over four decades.

This transformation has not only shielded local villagers from the once-lethal sandstorms but has also opened new industrial development opportunities for the region. Today, local farmers reap bountiful harvests, looking forward to a brighter future.

"Many people have asked me whether or not people of our next generation will come to Babusha. My belief is that they will. The reason why I don't let them come now is to ensure they focus on their studies and acquire more knowledge and science. In the future, they will be able to carry out more scientific management and governance," he noted, with steady gaze into the distance.

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