Aerial photo taken on June 7, 2022 shows the view of a forest farm of Guanshan Mountain in Zhangjiachuan Hui Autonomous County of Tianshui, northwest China's Gansu Province. (Xinhua/Chen Bin)
LANZHOU, June 13 (Xinhua) -- As the sweet smell of lilacs and peonies wafts along, aided by the cool breeze, two elderly men are seen watering and pruning the seedlings on the mountains, with pine, picea, palm and fig trees flourishing around them.
"The mountains used to be barren, but now they are all covered by trees," one of them said with pride. A matching smile graced their faces, revealing the unmistakable bond of blood between the two.
Xu Zhigang and Xu Zhiqiang, twins brothers born in 1948 in Zhangchuan Village of Tongwei County in northwest China's Gansu Province, have single-handedly transformed a barren mountainside on the Loess Plateau over the course of 55 years by planting tens of thousands of trees.
Tongwei County is located in the arid region of Dingxi City, making it one of the driest areas in western China.
When the Xu brothers were young, greenery was a rare sight in Tongwei. With little precipitation and a high evaporation rate, their village was often subject to drought and mudslides. People living here have long suffered from poverty.
"If we did not plant trees to improve the living environment, there would be no chance for us but to get poorer generation after generation," said Xu Zhigang, the elder of the twin brothers.
Despite their striking resemblance, the brothers differ in personality. Xu Zhiqiang, the younger sibling, possesses a more stubborn and outgoing nature compared to his brother. But their shared determination to bring about positive change unites them.
The quest to bring life to the desolate mountains began in 1968. Armed with shovels, 20-year-old Xu Zhigang and Xu Zhiqiang planted the first batch of trees on a barren hill near their home.
"The early days were incredibly challenging. We barely had money to buy food, let alone grass seeds and saplings," Xu Zhigang recalled, standing beneath the soothing shade of the very first tree he planted back in 1968.
"My wife did not agree at first. Sometimes, we had to tell lies to our families to finance our ambitious plan," he said. "For example, if I had sold 50 kilograms of grain, I only handed in the money for 35 kilograms to my wife and kept the rest to buy trees."
"When she inquired about the price of the saplings I had purchased, I deliberately quoted a much lower price to mollify her anger," the elder brother confessed with a shy smile.
During their youth, the duo dedicated nearly all of their spare time to planting, carrying water up the mountain and nurturing each small tree. But planting trees is one thing, ensuring their survival in an inhospitable climate is another.
The mountain was so rocky and barren that most trees they plant died very soon. "Not a single tree survived. But we did not give up. In the following year, we planted more saplings, firmly resolved to persist on the barren mountains," Xu Zhiqiang said.
The more they planted, the more they learned about trees. With the invaluable assistance of the local government and experts, they carefully chose appropriate tree species and honed their skills in soil preservation. Consequently, the survival rate of trees gradually improved over time.
More than 50 years have passed. Their hair has transformed into shades of grey and wrinkles have etched their faces. Amidst the passage of time, over 80,000 trees of more than 20 species now stand tall, transforming the once barren mountains into a beautiful landscape, attracting visitors from far and wide.
"After a long day of toiling in the fields, we find solace in gazing at the lush green leaves, the serene blue sky, and listening to the enchanting melodies of birdsong," said Xu Zhigang, pointing at the large woods behind his house.
Their tale of unwavering determination has inspired many to join the cause of tree planting in the region over the years. Ahead of the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, which falls on June 17 this year, the remarkable story of the Xu brothers has once again garnered attention, shining a spotlight on their efforts.
Last year, it was reported by the local forestry department that forest cover has increased to 12.1 percent of the city's total land mass, encompassing a vast expanse of 230,933 hectares.
Despite being in their 70s, the brothers made the conscious choice to settle down near the mountains, continuing their afforestation endeavors with the support of their children. During their leisure hours, they fully enjoy life by indulging in the art of Chinese painting and making tree-root carvings.
"We wanted to plant more trees and flowers as well. One day, we can pass the lush forests on to succeeding generations, ensuring their enduring beauty and providing a sense of reassurance for all," Xu Zhiqiang said. ■
