Harbin, the capital city of northeast China's
Heilongjiang
Province, is being threatened by desertification resulting from
the over-reclamation and over-pasturing of grasslands, according to
a recent sample survey conducted among citizens by the Harbin city
government. The finding creates a new issue of significant concern
for the local government which plans to develop the city into an
ecological garden city over the coming years.
Statistics indicate that during the March to April period this year
Harbin was swept by three severe sandstorms. It is thought that the
sandstorms are the result of increasing desertification in areas
surrounding the city. In light of this recent phenomenon, related
departments have surveyed people in Shuangcheng City, Hulan County
and other areas surrounding Harbin.
Results of the survey show that pasture areas in Shuangcheng City,
Hulan County and Acheng City, which directly affect the quality of
air in Harbin, have decreased by 526,000 mu (about 87,863
acres) since 1984. A moving sand belt over 40 kilometers in length
and 200-500 meters in width has taken shape between Jincheng and
Wanlong in Shuangcheng City. Along both banks of the Hulan River,
more than 80 percent of wetlands have been reclaimed for pastures,
with a large area of land having turned into desert due to poor
administration in the region. Some 30,000 mu (about 5,011
acres) of pasture in Juyuan Township of Acheng City has been
affected by desertification, with 15,000 mu (about 2,505
acres) being severely affected.
According to the survey, the abrupt decrease in pasture areas and
increase in desertification are inherent consequence of climate
changes and natural disasters. However, the survey also notes that
the main source of this phenomenon can be attributed to human
effects such as those caused by over-reclamation and
over-pasturing.
At
present, only 40 percent of pastoral lands in Harbin are being
utilized, with a per capita pastoral utilization rate of only 9.8
square meters, adding more strain to the job of environmental
protection and desertification control.
(china.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, October 14, 2002)