The 13th Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP13) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) was inaugurated on Sept 6 in Ordos, Inner Mongolia autonomous region. 

Apart from attending technical activities and major events, representatives of the conference will undertake in-depth study of Ordos' unique model of desertification control while enjoying the city's beautiful natural scenery.

A. Alutu Operation Area

Located in the hinterland of the Mu Us Desert, the Alutu Operation Area covers 2,050 hectares. Here, salix mongolica and caragana microphylla have been planted to manage the sandy land, and a sustainable development path of vegetation is being explored.

B. Salix scrimber in Zhasake town

Salix scrimber is a kind of high strength building material produced from salix mongolica. It is green, anticorrosive, waterproof, and fireproof.

C. Sand control area in Ejin Horo Banner

The area is located in the Mu Us Desert around the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. Its 9,667 hectares of sandy land are under management by the local government.

D. Resonant Sand Gorge

Located in the Kubuqi Desert, the Resonant Sand Gorge covers a total operating area of 2,000 hectares. It is a national cultural industry demonstration base.

E. Yinkentala Governance Demonstration Zone

The zone is located in the northern edge of the Kubuqi Desert, and is a part of the desert's shelter forest system. It covers a total area of 4,000 hectares. The cumulative implementation of key national and local forestry projects has affected 1,800 hectares in the zone.

F. Shelter forest construction in the northern edge of the Kubuqi Desert 

By relying for more than half a century on key national forestry project construction, the area has promoted afforestation, aerial seedling distribution, sand control and fixation, and construction of a shelter forest system.