Badain Jaran Desert, the third largest desert in China, has seen its grassland vegetation coverage increase year after year thanks to the local sand-control efforts. The desert is located in the Alxa League of north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. To curb its expansion, the local authorities have planted a forest belt along the desert, and most sand dunes have stopped moving. In addition, relying on the rich and unique sand resources, the local government has made great efforts to cultivate eco-friendly flora such as cistanche, cynomorium and lycium ruthenicum.