How Minqin County Uses Credit Points to Incentivize Tree Planting and Revitalize Tourism

In the Zhonglin ecological public welfare forest base in Minqin County, Gansu Province, volunteers were actively involved in watering newly planted saxaul trees. They were also showcasing their service credit points on their smartphones. One volunteer highlighted how planting trees earns points, which can then be used for discounts at tourist attractions. These young trees have become a "green passbook" for the volunteers.

Minqin County, situated between the Badain Jaran and Tengger deserts, faces significant environmental challenges. With 94% of its land area covered by desert and desertified land, it is a major source of sandstorms in China. To combat these issues, Minqin has adopted a unique approach, utilizing "credit points" as an incentive for desert control efforts. This innovative system links volunteer services with tangible benefits in the form of cultural and tourism experiences.

The Zhonglin forest base emphasizes that this approach makes every effort in desert control "quantifiable and perceptible." It transforms the passion for protecting the oasis into tangible "green benefits." Volunteers begin their day by checking in through a mobile app called "Volunteer Hub" to participate in tree-planting activities. At the end of the day, their eight hours of service are recorded in the app, accumulating points for their efforts.

To protect the rights of volunteers, Minqin has launched an initiative allowing volunteers to spend their service points like money. They can use these points to enjoy preferential policies at tourist attractions, exchange them for cultural and creative products, or obtain food street coupons. Since March, the base has welcomed over 41,000 volunteers from across the country. Together, they have planted over 1.52 million saxaul and caragana trees.

Minqin has further enhanced its desert eco-tourism experience by integrating the credit point system. Tourists with high "Volunteer Hub" credit points can enjoy priority access to guided tours and intangible cultural heritage experiences. The "green passbooks" have become a key to unlocking a rich cultural and tourism experience for visitors.

To protect the afforestation efforts, the county has implemented a "blacklist" system for those who damage the ecosystem or violate regulations. Serious violations may result in a ban from local tourist attractions. This year, Minqin County has completed extensive manual afforestation and sand fixation efforts, significantly reducing the amount of desertified land. The "credit points tree-planting + cultural tourism" model has also boosted the local cultural and tourism industry, contributing to economic growth.