Here Is What Happens When China Spills Millions of Tons of Water in the Desert

Summary

China is undertaking ambitious projects to transform its vast desert regions into more livable and productive areas. One key initiative involves creating a massive water transport tunnel to bring water from Tibet's Yarlung Tsangpo River to the arid region of Xinjiang, helping to support agriculture and improve water access for millions. In addition, China is pioneering fish farming in the Taklamakan Desert, raising marine fish and crabs in artificial sea water. Coupled with advancements in growing salt-tolerant rice, these efforts aim to tackle desertification and resource scarcity, showcasing China's innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

Takeaways

• 😀 China is facing severe desertification, with one-third of the country experiencing degraded land, challenging agriculture and water access.
• 🌊 The Yarlung Tsangpo River water transport tunnel from Tibet to Xinjiang is a major infrastructure project aiming to bring water to the desert region.
• ⛰️ The tunnel, stretching over 620 miles through the Himalayas, is expected to revolutionize agriculture and aquaculture in the Xinjiang desert.
• 💰 The water transport project costs approximately $12 billion and aims to supply water to millions of people and support food production in arid areas.
• 🚜 In addition to water, China is innovating with agricultural and aquaculture techniques, such as using artificial seawater to farm marine species in the desert.
• 🐟 By 2024, the aquaculture project in Xinjiang is expected to produce about 7,000 tons of salmon, showcasing the potential of desert-based seafood farming.
• 🌾 China has developed a salt-tolerant rice, ‘SE rice 86,’ which can thrive in saline-alkaline soils for up to six years, enabling desert agriculture.
• 🏞️ China is transforming barren desert lands into productive farms through advanced techniques such as saltwater fish farming and artificial reservoirs.
• 💡 Innovative technologies are allowing China to grow seafood, rice, and other crops in areas that were once unfit for agriculture or habitation.
• 🌍 These efforts are part of China's broader strategy to address food, water, and energy security in its most remote and resource-challenged regions.

Q & A

What is the primary challenge China faces with its desert regions?

China’s desert regions face extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures reaching up to 122°F and nighttime temperatures dropping below 32°F. Additionally, large areas are inhospitable due to lack of water, saline soils, and inadequate agricultural conditions.

How much of China’s land is affected by desertification?

Over 1.2 million square miles of land in China have degraded to desert, which accounts for about one-third of the country’s total area.

What is the significance of the Taklamakan Desert in China’s desertification problem?

The Taklamakan Desert is the largest desert in China, covering about 130,000 square miles. It is characterized by moving sand dunes and a lack of fertile soil, making it extremely difficult for both plant and animal life to thrive.

What innovative solution is China using to bring water to its desert regions?

China is constructing a tunnel to divert water from the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet to its desert regions, which will help provide water for agriculture and human settlements.

How long is the tunnel China is building to bring water from the Yarlung Tsangpo River?

The tunnel will span approximately 620 miles, which is a massive engineering challenge requiring advanced technology like tunnel boring machines.

What is the primary goal of the water tunnel project in Xinjiang?

The goal is to provide water to the Xinjiang region, potentially benefiting millions of people and transforming the arid desert land into more productive agricultural zones.

How does China plan to use the water from the tunnel to transform desert areas?

The water will be used to irrigate desert areas, support agriculture, and create livable environments by turning arid regions into places where crops can grow and people can settle.

What are the key features of the fish farming project in China’s deserts?

The fish farming project uses saline alkaline water from the desert regions, adding beneficial minerals to create artificial seawater. This has allowed for the successful farming of marine species like salmon and crabs in an otherwise inhospitable environment.

How has China been successful in farming marine species in its deserts?

China has developed advanced aquaculture systems that mimic ocean conditions, allowing the farming of marine fish like salmon and crabs in desert areas. The country uses smart technologies to maintain water quality and temperature, ensuring high survival rates for fish.

What is SE rice 86, and how does it contribute to China’s desert transformation efforts?

SE rice 86 is a salt-tolerant rice variety developed to thrive in saline and alkaline soils. It can grow in challenging desert environments and improves soil quality, contributing to agricultural production in areas where other crops would fail.