Community-Led Greening Effort Transforms Barren Landscapes in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

On the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a grassroots greening project is making strides in transforming arid land into productive pasture. In Ge'gyai County, particularly in Vombudangsang township, villagers have collaborated with state support to create over 200 hectares of irrigated grassland. This initiative not only helps herders achieve a more reliable income but also aids in ecosystem preservation by improving soil health and combating desertification.

Lhakpa Ngodrub, the township head, highlighted that the newly established pastureland addresses winter feed shortages and diminishes the strain on existing fragile grasslands. The project promotes sustainability by conserving water resources and enriching local soil quality, which are essential for developing a resilient ecosystem in the area.

As part of a larger government strategy to enhance herders' incomes through diversification, the villagers have invested their efforts in soil enrichment, building irrigation channels, and leveling land. Last year, artificial grassland reached 239.3 hectares, generating 2.29 million yuan, which benefitted about 800 residents across nearly 250 households. Individual households saw an increase in per capita income by 2,852 yuan due to this initiative.

Tsering Drukyi, a young villager, shared his family's experience of cultivating land leased since 2016. Their participation in the initiative has significantly boosted their annual earnings, allowing them to grow and harvest grass for both livestock and sale. He emphasized the transformation of the land, overcoming initial challenges posed by rocky terrain, and the ease that came with soil enhancement over the years.

Future plans in Vombudangsang include expanding the area of artificial grassland, improving grass quality, and exploring synergies between grass cultivation and other sectors such as livestock husbandry and ecotourism. Yang Liyuan, an associate research fellow, noted the importance of aligning local industry development with the specific resources of each region, advocating for a balance between economic growth and ecological stewardship in Xizang.