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1.7b yuan for combating desertification in Xinjiang

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2011-05-13 16:18

A program to fight against desertification around the Tarim Basin in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region is set to begin within this year, covering a total area of 625,300 hectares.

Cost of the program is estimated at 1.72 billion yuan.

Desert area in Xinjiang accounts for 44.8 percent of the area of the region's total territory or 43 percent of the total area of all deserts in China.

The Tarim Basin is a farm produce base in Xinjiang and a bonanza of mineral resources, but with fragile ecological environment.