In early winter, officials from the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Awat County, Aksu Prefecture, Xinjiang, are patrolling the saplings planted this autumn in the Aiximan area. At the edge of the desert, rows of saxaul and Russian olive trees stand tall against the wind, forming a vibrant ecological barrier. What was once a desolate land of swirling yellow sand is gradually being reclaimed by greenery.
The Aiximan area, formed by the alluvial fan depression of the Aksu River, includes Aiximan Lake and its surroundings. Due to encroachment from the Taklamakan Desert to the south, the lake has been shrinking year by year, leaving the ecosystem fragile. In 2021, Aksu launched the Aiximan Ecological Restoration and Desertification Control Project—the fifth million-acre ecological initiative following the Kokyar Desert Greening Project, Aksu River Basin Ecological Management Project, Weigan River Basin Ecological Management Project, and Kongtailik Ecological Management Project.
"When we first arrived, this was just endless sand dunes. Now, it's covered with tamarisk and saxaul. Watching these trees grow strong is like witnessing my own child growing up. The most rewarding part of patrolling is seeing the ecological environment improve—less dust, moister air, wildlife returning, and even tourists visiting in summer," said Ayixianguli Yishak, an official from the Awat County Forestry and Grassland Bureau.
The success in Aiximan reflects Aksu's broader ecological efforts. Since the 1980s, generations of local cadres and residents have persevered in afforestation in Kokyar, once ravaged by sandstorms. Their relentless efforts have built a "Green Great Wall." The Kokyar Memorial Museum preserves old photos and records documenting their decades-long battle against desertification, turning barren land into lush barriers and fertile orchards.
Improved ecology has laid a solid foundation for specialty fruit cultivation. To sustain greening achievements, Aksu adopted a "forest-sustaining-forest" model in Kokyar, intercropping apples, walnuts, and dates within shelterbelts to bolster both ecological protection and local incomes.
This ecological advantage has revitalized Aksu's apple industry. As a nationally recognized geographical indication product, "Aksu Apples" now form a complete industrial chain from farming to deep processing, becoming a renowned brand. At Dahongmen (Aksu) Supply Chain Management Co. in Wensu National Agricultural Science Park, apples are washed, sliced, and freeze-dried into crispy snacks retaining over 95% of their nutrients.
"Our current bestseller is dried apple slices, popular in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. Next, we’ll develop more deep-processed products to elevate the Aksu apple industry toward premium branding," said Zhang Yu, the company’s manager.
From Aiximan’s wetland revival to Kokyar’s fragrant orchards, Aksu’s transformation from "desert advancing" to "greenery thriving" proves the viability of combining ecological restoration with green development.
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