About 400 years ago, Saihanba, in what is now known as Weichang Man and Mongolia Autonomous County in Chengde, north China's Hebei Province, was home to abundant forest resources and intensive biodiversity. Unfortunately, in the following years, the area has been covered with patches of the desert because of relentless logging. The situation was getting so critical that the desert threatened to engulf its closest city-Beijing until action was taken for a large-scale tree planting in the area. This process started in the 1960s and now, with regained green, Saihanba has became a role model showcasing the importance of protecting the environment.

(All photos via VCG)

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