Lush trees now cover a swathe of Hohhot city in Inner Mongolia. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

Hohhot – capital city of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region – has made significant moves to protect its environment and go greener, according to a report in the Inner Mongolia Daily.

During the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-20), the forest coverage rate in Hohhot increased from 21.30 percent in 2016 to 23 percent in 2020. A total of 550,000 square meters of new forest reserves was added, while more than 50 percent of desert land was treated.

To concentrate and optimize its natural resources, the number of nature reserves in the region has been reduced from 15 to 11 during the period.

Daqingshan Mountain is now a natural oasis following its environmental restoration. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

This year, Hohhot plans to increase its landscape development and the establishment of conservation-oriented gardens.

The city also plans to expand reclaimed water pipe networks in green spaces and increase the utilization rate of reclaimed water.

It is understood that Hohhot will develop a linear corridor landscape configuration to enhance its cityscape.

The city has reportedly been making strong progress in its overall environmental improvements since it released the Regulations on the Ecological Protection of Daqing Mountain Front Slope in Hohhot on April 1, 2019.

The regulations clarified government responsibilities and encouraged social forces to participate in eco-friendly development on the front slopes of Daqing Mountain. 

Trees line along the riverbanks in Hohhot. [Photo/Inner Mongolia Daily]

Under the protection of the legal system, that area is now covered by trees and secluded and winding paths, creating a green ecological barrier and a beautiful line of scenery along the mountain.

After several years of restoration work, its front slope has completed the establishment of ecological functions for carbon fixation and oxygen release, water conservation, wind prevention and soil stabilization and air purification.