China's efforts to fight desertification in its northern area (achieve) remarkable progress over the past 45 years. So far, the Three-North Shelter Forest Program (launch) in 1978 has planted and conserved 32 million hectares (公顷) of forests and restored 85 million hectares of degraded grassland, and the forest (cover) in the project area has increased from 5.05 percent in 1978 to 13.84 percent today.
The project has set up a green Great Wall to act as a safeguard sandstorms, conserves oil and water and promote agricultural development in the northern border of China. Though extra ordinary achievements are made in the program, the work (say) to be still challenging due to the wide distribution and severe conditions of desert land. The environmental delicacy of the region and continuous environmental issues make the task even (hard).
Recognizing the importance of desert ecosystems in regulating climate and keeping balanced environment, the authorities shifted from a traditional approach to working in harmony with it, (allow) for sustainable development and coexistence. Bringing nature to (it) original condition should not rely on human efforts in the long term. The scientific and holistic(全面的) approach to conserving mountains, rivers, forests and farmland is crucial, the ecologists believe can help nature restore itself.
