Harbin, the capital city of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, is being threatened by desertification resulting from the over-reclamation and over-pasturing of grasslands, according to a recent sample survey conducted among citizens by the Harbin city government. The finding creates a new issue of significant concern for the local government which plans to develop the city into an ecological garden city over the coming years.

Statistics indicate that during the March to April period this year Harbin was swept by three severe sandstorms. It is thought that the sandstorms are the result of increasing desertification in areas surrounding the city. In light of this recent phenomenon, related departments have surveyed people in Shuangcheng City, Hulan County and other areas surrounding Harbin.

Results of the survey show that pasture areas in Shuangcheng City, Hulan County and Acheng City, which directly affect the quality of air in Harbin, have decreased by 526,000 mu (about 87,863 acres) since 1984. A moving sand belt over 40 kilometers in length and 200-500 meters in width has taken shape between Jincheng and Wanlong in Shuangcheng City. Along both banks of the Hulan River, more than 80 percent of wetlands have been reclaimed for pastures, with a large area of land having turned into desert due to poor administration in the region. Some 30,000 mu (about 5,011 acres) of pasture in Juyuan Township of Acheng City has been affected by desertification, with 15,000 mu (about 2,505 acres) being severely affected.

According to the survey, the abrupt decrease in pasture areas and increase in desertification are inherent consequence of climate changes and natural disasters. However, the survey also notes that the main source of this phenomenon can be attributed to human effects such as those caused by over-reclamation and over-pasturing.

At present, only 40 percent of pastoral lands in Harbin are being utilized, with a per capita pastoral utilization rate of only 9.8 square meters, adding more strain to the job of environmental protection and desertification control.

(china.org.cn by Zhang Tingting, October 14, 2002)