ChineseToday | Villager contributes to afforestation on sandy land in NE China's Liaoning

SHENYANG, June 3 (Xinhua) -- Hou Gui is a villager in Liujia Village of Sihecheng Town in Zhangwu County, northeast China's Liaoning Province. Living at the southern edge of Horqin sandy land, Hou has planted more than 200,000 trees on 2,400 mu (160 hectares) of sandy land over the past 20-plus years.

Hou, who is over 70 years old, began afforesting in 2001. He raised funds, cultivated saplings suitable for growing on sandy land, dissuaded villagers from entering woods to graze, and patrolled the woods twice a day. Over the years, Hou has witnessed the improvement of the ecological environment and the public's awareness of forest protection. A green barrier against wind and sand has been built on the southern edge of the Horqin sandy land.

Reporters: Zhang Lei, Li Gang, Long Lei

Editors: Meng Chenguang, Li Mangmang, Wang Haijing, Wu Xia, Wang Siwei, Ding Hongfa

China Story Studio■