Hey nature lovers! 🌿 Did you hear about the massive greening project happening in Xizang? Yep, you read that right! Xizang Autonomous Region is turning its mountainsides along the Lhasa River Valley into lush forests, and it's the biggest afforestation project they've ever tackled! 😮
Started in 2021 and aiming to wrap up by 2030, this ambitious project covers a mind-blowing 137,868 hectares. That's like covering over 258,000 football fields with trees! 🏟️🌲
But here's the coolest part: they're using drones to get the job done! 🚁🌳 Meet Xian Xiongqiang, one of the project’s key players. His company has taken on a quarter of this green endeavor. Planting trees at altitudes between 3,600 and 4,100 meters isn't exactly a walk in the park. So, what's the solution? High-tech drones to lift and transport trees up those steep mountains! Talk about leveling up! 🎮
\"When we began planting on a large scale, there were no roads. We built them step by step with our workers and even used mules and horses. But drones boost work efficiency by about five to ten times compared to animals,\" Xian said. \"It basically takes less than one minute for the drone to reach an altitude of nearly 4,100 meters.\"
Of course, every epic quest has its challenges. In 2022, they faced a severe drought. \"When we saw the trees turning yellow, we were very anxious. We climbed the mountain to check their conditions every day,\" Xian shared.
But just like a superhero swooping in, technology saved the day again! 🦸♂️ They installed an intelligent water system that directs water from canals and rivers to reservoirs on the mountain tops. From there, water is distributed to storage tanks, ensuring the trees get the hydration they need 24/7. 💧
By the end of last year, they'd planted trees across 25,333 hectares. And the results? Beyond amazing! 🌟
With this continuous green effort, Xizang's forest coverage has increased to 12.31%. This not only makes the area more gorgeous but also helps rare wildlife thrive again. 🐾
The number of Tibetan antelopes has jumped to nearly 300,000 from less than 70,000 last century. And those stunning black-necked cranes? They've soared to over 10,000 from just 2,000! 🦌🦢
This is more than just planting trees; it's about reviving an ecosystem and inspiring the world on how technology and nature can team up. 🌍❤️
So next time you think about drones, remember they're not just for cool aerial shots or delivering packages—they're helping to green the \"Roof of the World\"! 🏔️🌲
Reference(s):
Technology enhances Xizang's largest-ever afforestation project
cgtn.com
