Ordos resumes full construction of Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program

On Feb 28, Ordos city in North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region launched its 2026 spring resumption of work for the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, along with a field training session aimed at improving project quality.

The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, the world's largest afforestation initiative, was launched in 1978 to combat desertification across China's northwestern, northern, and northeastern regions.

The event, held in the city's Otog Front Banner, outlined key tasks for the year and mobilized efforts to accelerate progress and enhance efficiency.

In 2026, Ordos plans to complete more than 14 million mu (about 933,333 hectares) of afforestation and restoration under the program, including 6 million mu dedicated to desertification control. The city will continue building the Kubuqi Desert "photovoltaic Great Wall," targeting over 1 million mu of solar-powered sand control by year-end. It will also advance a 740-kilometer road-based sand control project, which is expected to drive ecological restoration across 760,000 mu.

The training focused on practical skills, with experienced desertification control experts providing on-site instruction in afforestation, grass planting, engineering-based sand fixation, and quality management. Participants also observed mechanized operations in desert treatment areas, gaining insights into coordinated human-machine practices.