A bird’s eye view of forest planted on previously desertified land in Ordos, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/ordosnews.com.cn]

Ordos in Inner Mongolia autonomous region launched afforestation efforts to combat desertification earlier this year, according to the Forestry and Grassland Administration of Ordos.

So far, the government-led program has afforested an area of nearly 73,000 hectares and improved about 200,000 hectares of grassland in Ordos.

The forestry and grassland bureau said that Ordos will focus on promoting afforestation in those densely populated areas, including the central urban area and industrial parks. 

To slow desertification and reclaim the land, the local government also held a voluntary tree planting activity regularly, with more than 770,000 people participating and nearly 8 million trees  planted. 

An afforestation project supported by the China Green Foundation plans to invest 66 million yuan ($9.6 million) in Ordos this year. Over 14 million trees are expected to be planted in Ordos and two varieties of drought-resistant trees will be introduced to improve the local land condition.

Drought-resistant trees are planted on desertified land in Ordos, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/ordosnews.com.cn]

Two cows graze on a field planted with flowers in Ordos, in Inner Mongolia autonomous region. [Photo/ordosnews.com.cn]