Shule Scrolls: a Millennium Book of Sand Sea

The history of desertification control in Xinjiang is a magnificent epic that spans thousands of years. From the ancient dynasties' reclamation and border garrisoning to ensure border security, to New China's use of modern science and technology to carry out systematic ecological restoration, it shows the great journey of the Chinese nation's unremitting struggle against the harsh natural environment and ultimately the realization of harmonious coexistence. In ancient times, the Han, Tang, Yuan and Qing dynasties objectively curbed desertification and maintained the oasis ecology by establishing administrative agencies, promoting farmland, building water conservancy projects, and planting trees. Among them, the "Zuogongliu" afforestation and water conservancy construction carried out by Zuo Zongtang of the Qing Dynasty after regaining Xinjiang had a particularly far-reaching impact. In modern times, especially after the founding of the People's Republic of China, Xinjiang's desertification control work has entered a new stage driven by science. The national strategy represented by the "Three North" protective forest project and the "Border Lock" project in the Taklimakan Desert, combined with scientific and technological innovations such as grass grid sand barriers, terrestrial algae sand fixation, and "photovoltaic + desert control", have successfully achieved a historic transformation from "sand in and people out" to "green in and sand out", not only improving the ecological environment, but also promoting economic and social development. Its achievements and experience have benefited the world through international cooperation.