China undertook one of its most ambitious environmental initiatives with the restoration of the Loess Plateau, a vast region spanning over 640,000 sq km and home to around 100 million people. By the late 20th century, the once-fertile land had become the most eroded area on Earth due to generations of unsustainable farming practices. Soil degradation and deforestation led to massive dust storms, silting the Yellow River and spreading fine sediment across cities, including Beijing.
In 1999, the Chinese government launched the Grain to Green project, with World Bank support, to combat desertification by restoring vegetation and reversing the effects of overgrazing and overcultivation. The project banned tree-cutting, hillside farming, and unrestricted livestock grazing while promoting sustainable practices at a larger scale. To encourage participation, farmers received grain and cash subsidies for converting farmland into grassland or ecological forests, along with tax benefits and long-term land-use contracts.
The initiative led to significant environmental improvements. By 2016, China had converted more than 30,000 sq km of cropland into forests and grasslands, increasing vegetation cover by 25% in a decade. Studies reported reduced erosion and enhanced plant productivity. The return of birds and the natural restoration of ecosystems were noted as key successes.
However, the program faced challenges. Some farmers resisted converting agricultural land to forests, questioning its impact on future food security. Initially, grain yields declined, sparking debates on its effects on China’s food supply. Additionally, early reforestation efforts relied heavily on monoculture plantations, which later shifted to more diverse plantings to support wildlife. Water management also became a concern as increased vegetation reduced the water available in the Yellow River system.
The Loess Plateau’s changing climate, with rising temperatures and increased rainfall in some areas, added complexity to the project. Experts argue that rather than attempting to recreate past ecosystems, restoration efforts should focus on building resilient landscapes that provide long-term ecological benefits.
Despite its challenges, the project created new employment opportunities for locals, such as forestry work, reducing the need for migration. Many, like former farmer Lu FuChin, saw their livelihoods transformed as they transitioned from cutting trees for firewood to planting them for restoration. The initiative demonstrated the importance of integrating environmental restoration with socioeconomic considerations, offering valuable lessons for future conservation efforts worldwide.
