Ecological conservation project turns barren desert into lush wetland in Xinjiang

Over the past five years, Awati County in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has undergone a remarkable ecological transformation, with its once-arid Aximan area changing into a lush wetland teeming with waterfowl and greenery.

Situated at the junction of the Aksu River alluvial fan and the Taklimakan Desert, once known as the "sea of death", Aximan had long suffered from severe desertification.

As a vital part of the headwater region of the Tarim River, China's longest inland river, the area plays a crucial role in the region's ecology.

In 2020, authorities in Xinjiang launched a major conservation and restoration initiative to rehabilitate the ecosystem.

Through a comprehensive strategy featuring urban wastewater recycling, widespread use of drip irrigation, and large-scale forest planting, about 52,500 hectares of land have been rehabilitated with forest coverage surging tenfold from just 4.5 percent to 45 percent.

Today, Aximan has evolved into a thriving wetland ecosystem that is home to abundant vegetation and clear waters, attracting flocks of migratory birds and providing habitat for over 200 wild animal species.

Ecological conservation project turns barren desert into lush wetland in Xinjiang

An endangered Indochinese gray langur has been captured on infrared camera in a nature reserve in southwest China's Yunnan Province, highlighting continued improvement in the area's biodiversity and conservation efforts.

Reserve staff recently discovered the footage while reviewing camera-trap data collected in a provincial nature reserve in Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, Pu'er City.

The video shows the langur climbing onto vine-covered branches with its long tail hanging below before pausing to scan its surroundings. After confirming the area was safe, the animal relaxed and remained perched in the forest canopy.

The Indochinese gray langur is listed as an endangered species on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and is under China's first-class state protection.

Local authorities say strengthened habitat protection and management in recent years have steadily improved the local ecological environment. In addition to the rare langur, other protected wildlife, such as slow lorises, silver pheasants and red junglefowl, have also been recorded in the reserve, reflecting the recovery of local biodiversity.

Rare Indochinese grey langur spotted in Yunnan nature reserve