Chigan village is nestled in the mountains of Zhouqu county. [Photo provided to gogansu.com]

In the mountainous terrain of Gansu province, a holistic policy for ecological and geological disaster prevention is reshaping livelihoods. By late August, 135 households from Chigan village in Guoye town, Zhouqu county, began a 35-kilometer journey, signaling a fresh start towards safety and prosperity.

During the relocation, touching scenes unfolded: Liu Renmin safeguarding his son's wedding photo, and Han Haicheng cherishing  a nostalgic  wooden table laden with family memories—each  item a symbol of treasured pasts and optimistic tomorrows.

In Lianghekou, Dachuan town, the dwelling serves as a comprehensive answer to Zhouqu county's geological challenges. Similarly, in Yingquan village, Jinta county, 56 households totaling 237 residents have moved into meticulously planned and fully equipped properties.

Local governments have embraced a holistic sustainable development strategy. In Yingquan village, this vision materialized with 200 greenhouses nurturing desert watermelons and Provence tomatoes, each generating 60,000 yuan ($8,200) yearly. The initiative ripple as 150 residents secured jobs in nearby industrial parks, while Qingshui county created up to 40 standardized production sites across 16 townships, including mushroom facilities producing 20 million fungus sticks annually.

This relocation initiative signifies a beginning, not a conclusion. Local authorities have guaranteed safe relocation, stable settlement, and the opportunity for residents to build better lives in their new communities. With meticulous planning and execution, this project has paved the way for rural prosperity.