Tubbat and his wife, Tosontsagaan, are villagers in Inner Mongolia's Ejin Horo Banner (内蒙古), where there is the Badain Jaran Desert (巴丹吉林沙漠), one of China's four biggest deserts. They have spent many years fighting against the desert. They plant trees in the desert area to keep the sand and protect the environment.
Tubbat has planted more than 50,000 trees covering about the size of 133 football fields. "When I was a child, there were lakes, forests and animals. And it rained a lot," said Tubbat. " But sandstorms turned the green land into a desert. "
Tubbat started to plant trees in 2002 after he finished his job as a government official. His wife supported his decision. They did all this for free and even spent most of their own money. "Many people do not understand why I do this. They don't know the happiness I feel when I see the land turn green again," said Tubbat. "My wife's support gives me energy. Our children want us to live in a city. But this is not the right time. I want to grow more trees," he said.
Tubbat is happy that more people have begun to plant trees after hearing his story. Some have even visited him to learn how to plant trees in the desert. "Trees can bring rain and animals," he said. "I want to be a tree, to grow up in the desert and hold the sand until I die. "
