As of May 2026, the sixth phase of the Three North Project has been implemented for nearly two years, with a cumulative afforestation and preservation area of over 480 million acres, and the forest coverage rate in the project area has increased from 5.05% to 13.84%. In this context, the Chinese Academy of Forestry recently held a meeting to promote the construction of science and technology highlands in the Three North Project, comprehensively summarizing the three-year construction achievements of 18 science and technology highlands. Since its launch in 2023, 18 technology special teams have continuously penetrated into the front lines of the three major regions, covering all areas and implementing the technology empowerment strategy comprehensively.

18 highlands are advancing into the Three North Line

The Yellow River bend battle zone, Xinhua Forest Farm, photovoltaic+ecological governance, Ulan Buh and desert governance and other highland areas have built more than 500000 acres of modern science and technology demonstration zones; Promote the high-quality variety of Zhongzao No.1 non opening jujube tree in the highland of the southern edge of the Taklamakan Desert, with a demonstration area of over 30000 acres, contributing scientific and technological strength to the desert green scarf; The 331 National Highway Joint Prevention and Control High Ground attracts investment from high-tech enterprises and proposes new models and paths for ecological grassland construction.

The Science and Technology Highland project group resonates with the National Forestry and Grassland Administration's unveiling and leading projects, and collaborates with 53 scientific research units across the country to tackle key issues. It has produced landmark achievements such as 136 ecological governance zones, 262 sand stability patterns, 141 ecological photovoltaic models, and mechanical sand control service team models, which have been highly recognized by various parties on the front line of engineering construction. Keywords: environmental governance, Three North Project

From demonstration to empowering frontline

Next, the Chinese Academy of Forestry will promote the organic integration of 18 technological highlands into the key work of the Three North regions, enabling excellent varieties, new technologies, new materials, and new work paradigms to truly empower the front line. The current Three North Project is in a critical period, and according to the plan of the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the six phase project targets will be completed by 2030. The phased achievements of 18 technological highlands have provided replicable and scalable technological reserves for this goal, and have also contributed Chinese solutions to global desertification control.Editor/Cheng Liting