[Explanation] At present, affected by the recent rainfall and high temperature snowmelt, the inflow of the Tarim River, the largest inland river in China, continues to increase. Luntai County, Bayingoleng Mongolian Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang has dredged flood diversion channels and built retaining dams. And other engineering measures, 150,000 mu of natural Populus euphratica forests will be diverted and irrigated.
Recently, several large excavators and forklifts are excavating the flood diversion canal near the Tarim River Bridge in the Luntai section of the Tarim River. The Xinjiang Luntai County Water Conservancy Bureau and the staff of the Luntai County Forestry and Grassland Bureau are fighting on the front line to carry out the project. Dangerous reinforcement, flood diversion and irrigation work, so that the natural Populus euphratica forest can quench its thirst.
[Concurrent] Shen Jun, deputy head of the Yingbaza Management Station of the Mainstream Administration of the Tarim River Basin, Xinjiang
On August 12, the maximum instantaneous flow of the Aral section reached 1,980 (cubic meters per second), and it is expected that our section will reach 800 to 900 (cubic meters per second). Our patrol of this dike.
[Explanation] Xinjiang Luntai County is located on the northern edge of the Taklimakan Desert, and the ecological environment is very fragile. The natural Populus euphratica forest along the Tarim River is an important ecological barrier for the local oasis.
In recent years, Xinjiang has continued to strengthen ecological protection. In 2019, it launched the Populus euphratica forest rescue operation in the Tarim River Basin to irrigate the degraded Populus euphratica forests with irrigation conditions through rotation irrigation.
Within the territory of Luntai County, the middle reaches of the Tarim River are distributed with a natural population of Populus euphratica and shrub forests covering a total area of 2,754,500 mu with a length of 100 kilometers.
After years of careful maintenance, the forest and grass vegetation of the Populus euphratica forest in the Heluntai section of Tarim has been restored year by year, the area has expanded year by year, and the coverage rate has increased year by year. Today, the Tarim Populus euphratica Forest National Forest Park has become the "green lung" of the Tarim Basin.
[Concurrent] Herdsmen Yusufujiang·Saemaiti in Jiefangqu Village, Lunnan Town, Luntai County, Xinjiang
Several generations of us have lived by grazing by the Tarim River. In previous years, the ecological environment of the Tarim River was very poor, with frequent sandstorms and severe water shortages, and we did not dare to raise more livestock.
In recent years, the Populus euphratica forests near the Tarim River have been diverting water every year. The Populus euphratica forests that had died before became green again, and now they can raise hundreds or even thousands of livestock.
[Explanation] Shi Yulong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Luntai County, Xinjiang, told reporters that in recent years, with the orderly progress of ecological restoration work such as natural forest tending, flood irrigation, and forest fire prevention, Populus euphratica obviously feels that the branches and leaves are more luxuriant. , the blue sky and Populus euphratica are reflected on the water surface, and wild ducks, swans, and goose-throated gazelles have also settled here, showing a better ecological carrying capacity.
[Concurrent] Shi Yulong, Deputy Director of the Party Committee of the Forestry and Grassland Bureau of Luntai County, Xinjiang
Since May this year, Luntai County has dug more than 8,000 meters of canals, and now the irrigation area is more than 150,000 mu. In the next step, we will increase water diversion and irrigation measures through the Tahe flood season to make the Populus euphratica grow better and the forest resources can be gradually restored. The Populus euphratica ecosystem in the Tahe River Basin has been further restored.
[Explanation] In order to further protect the ecological environment of the Tarim River Basin, Shaya County, Aksu Prefecture, which is located in the middle and upper reaches of the Tarim River, systematically promotes the water resources allocation project and the construction of water resources regulation and storage capacity, coordinates agricultural irrigation water and ecological water replenishment, and scientifically saves water Water storage and water transfer to ensure the surrounding farmland irrigation and ecological Populus euphratica forests are full of vitality.
[Concurrent] Zhao Yu, head of Dazhai Reservoir Resource Station, Shaya County, Xinjiang
Since late July, the reservoir began to store water, and the accumulated flood flow was about 19 million cubic meters, making full preparations for winter irrigation of 120,000 mu of land downstream, and effectively improving the ecological environment within the reservoir area. .
[Explanation] Nowadays, with the increasing efforts of ecological restoration year by year, the forest coverage rate is increasing, and eco-tourism is constantly being developed and perfected, creating a beautiful picture of everyone protecting Populus euphratica and harmonious coexistence between man and nature.
Zhao Yamin Tursun Wusman Cheng Lei Xinjiang Comprehensive Report
Responsible editor: [Luo Pan]