Decades of Targeted Restoration Yield Measurable Declines in Northern Dust Events
China has recorded fewer and weaker spring sandstorms over the past two decades, according to official data released by the National Forestry and Grassland Administration to mark the International Day of Combating Sand and Dust Storms. The average number of spring sandstorms, a recurring weather hazard across northern China particularly between March and May, fell from 12.5 times a year two decades ago to 9.6 times in recent years. This decline is closely linked to years of ecological restoration efforts, including the Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, an afforestation initiative launched in 1978 to curb desertification and improve the ecological environment in northern China.
During the 14th Five-Year Plan period from 2021 to 2025, China rehabilitated 152 million mu, equivalent to 10.1 million hectares, of sandy land. This year alone, the central government allocated 27.7 billion yuan, about 4.07 billion dollars, to support 328 restoration projects covering more than 95 million mu. These figures reflect sustained investment in techniques such as straw checkerboards, windbreak belts, and large-scale afforestation that have helped stabilize dunes and reduce the mobility of sand.
The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program and Its Evolution
The Three-North Shelterbelt Forest Program, often described as China’s Green Great Wall, spans the northwest, north, and northeast regions. Launched in 1978, the program aims to rehabilitate and green desert-prone lands and desertified areas. By 2025, forest coverage in the three-north region had increased from 5.05 percent to 13.84 percent. China has become the first country in the world to achieve zero growth in land degradation and a double reduction in desertified and sandy land areas.
In 2024, China completed a 3,050-kilometer green belt that surrounds the Taklamakan Desert, the country’s second-largest desert. Workers have employed methods including the construction of sand barriers and the use of drones to airlift straw deep into desert areas. These practical interventions have transformed previously barren landscapes into areas capable of supporting vegetation and agriculture in regions such as the Mu Us Desert in Ningxia.
Photo by Lin Qiu Yi Wan on Unsplash
Recent Data and Ongoing Challenges
While overall trends show improvement, challenges remain. In April 2025, China experienced its worst dust and sand storm in a decade in terms of intensity, duration, and influence. The newly revised Dust Weather Warning Standard, issued in 2026, expands warning categories to better protect public health and improve response coordination. AI-assisted forecasting and satellite observations have supported earlier warnings during severe dust events, aiding transportation, public health, and disaster response.
Scientists note that the fight against desertification is not over, even as desert expansion has slowed or reversed in several regions. Continued monitoring and adaptive management are required to maintain gains amid variable climate conditions.
International Cooperation and Broader Context
China has strengthened cooperation with Central Asian countries through the China–Central Asia Cooperation Centre on Desertification Prevention and Control. This partnership promotes technology transfer, professional training, and sustainable land management practices. The United Nations has declared 2025 to 2034 the Decade on Combating Sand and Dust Storms, recognizing the global nature of the issue and the relevance of China’s experience.
Efforts extend beyond national borders, with exchanges involving the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and field visits to restored rangelands and sustainable grazing sites. These initiatives highlight the role of community involvement, including guidance for villagers in transforming desert edges into green oases and fertile farmland.
Photo by Zalfa Imani on Unsplash
Techniques Driving Success and Future Outlook
Key techniques include straw checkerboards that stabilize sand dunes, windbreak belts that reduce wind speed, and large-scale tree planting under the Three-North program. Government allocations support hundreds of projects annually, while voluntary tree-planting bases have drawn millions of participants. By 2025, China had established 3,071 Internet Plus Voluntary Tree Planting bases nationwide, recording more than 33 million total visits.
Looking ahead, sustained funding, technological innovation such as AI forecasting, and regional cooperation are expected to further reduce sand and dust storm impacts. The combination of policy commitment, scientific application, and local participation has produced tangible environmental improvements across northern China.
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