By hannover-web.com In a recent interview, the leader of the “Cliff Afforestation Team” in Yichuan, Shaanxi Province, shared exciting updates on their innovative reforestation efforts. “This drone, which can carry up to 60 kilograms, delivers seedlings to planting sites in just one to two minutes,” explained Peng Chuanhui, the drone operator for the team. “Since this year, we have significantly enhanced our planting efficiency using drones.”
Located in the central Yellow River region and within the Qinjin Gorge, Yichuan is known for its distinct landscape, characterized by hilly terrains and dry conditions, particularly along the river where soil erosion is a pressing concern. The afforestation team was established in 2004, consisting of over 30 members dedicated to restoring the local ecology. Over the past two decades, they have successfully planted more than 40,000 acres and 2.8 million trees, with over 10,000 acres situated on steep cliffs prone to soil loss.
Initially focused on planting in the northern dry areas of Yichuan, the team faced challenges with reforestation on cliffs. In 2012, after recognizing the difficulty of cliff planting, team leader Wang Yonghong volunteered to tackle the issue, leading to the team’s moniker as the “Cliff Afforestation Team.”
Now approaching his fifties, Wang, with his sun-weathered face and rough hands, described the challenges they encounter: “On the cliffs of the West Bank of the Yellow River, the slopes can be incredibly steep, even vertical in places. We tie ourselves securely with ropes and lower ourselves down to plant.” He admits that looking down from such heights can be intimidating.
To boost the survival rate of the trees, the team employs a method involving stone pits and local soil. “We create pits with stones and use soil nearby for planting the roots,” Wang explained, highlighting how this technique has significantly improved seedling survival.
He continued, expressing the formidable nature of their work: “Cliff planting is tough! There are no pits to use, so we have to dig them. If there’s no soil, we carry it ourselves. If there’s no water, we transport it.” Wang explained that in areas inaccessible to trucks, team members shoulder supplies, enduring the painful scrapes from thorny plants as they climb rugged terrain.
Thanks to their determination, the hills once barren now boast flourishing greenery. Since 2009, the team has completed approximately 13 kilometers of greening work along the Yellow River’s slopes, covering an impressive 37,000 acres.
This year, the team’s incorporation of drones has transformed their operations. Tasks that previously took 40 minutes to transport water, soil, and seedlings can now be accomplished in just three minutes. “We have drastically reduced time and labor costs,” Wang noted. “Drones are truly a ‘magic tool,’ especially in hard-to-reach areas.”
Wang added that while drones make planting easier, the team’s steadfast commitment to their mission remains unchanged: “No matter how much technology we use, in the end, it’s the people who plant the trees.”
Today, Wang’s afforestation team has expanded to include 200 members from various villages along the Yellow River. According to Yuan Guorong, director of the Yichuan Forestry Bureau, since 1999, the area has successfully planted 2.21 million acres of forest, achieving a remarkable 59.6% forest coverage rate. Looking ahead, Yichuan plans to extend its efforts southward for even greater ecological progress.
