Several Chinese experts noted that sandstorms that have molested northern China for the past weeks can be prevented and effectively checked, citing the example of the Huaihe River valley.
Due to special geological conditions, the Huaihe River valley in central and east China had many sandstorms in the 1950s and 1960s, and actually, a vicious sandstorm buried two villages in Henan Province in the 1940s.
Thanks to relentless efforts in afforestation, the region has almost wiped out sandstorm, the experts said.
The region was not blind to the idea of afforestation. Usually, wind-resistant shrubs were planted to keep the sands from flowing before arboreal trees were planted to form sizable forests.
Meanwhile, fruit trees, like grape and apple, had brought local farmers ample income besides their function to keep out sand.
(People's Daily 03/18/2001)
