黄沙退去绿洲现，初心传承使命传
For over 50 years, Ulziidelger, a 71-year-old Mongolian farmer from Inner Mongolia’s Otog Front Banner, has turned his childhood dream of greenery into a lifelong mission. Growing up in a desert landscape, he learned early that survival meant fighting sand with trees.
The roots of his mission trace back to his family. In the 1960s, his mother planted two willow saplings (幼树) outside their new home, saying, “A house truly becomes a home when a tree is planted in front of it.” This simple act started a family tradition. Back then, his family owned almost 570 hectares of pasture. Most of them, however, were covered by sand. By age 11, Ulziidelger was planting trees after school there.
Marriage in 1972 brought a partner in his cause. “Our land was swallowed by sand — planting trees was our only hope,” he recalled. With no vehicles, he and his wife carried saplings on their backs through soft sand. They studied water sources and soil to help young trees survive. To save time, they ate millet (小米) soaked (浸泡) in hot water from insulated jars, sometimes adding meat for energy. “It kept us working without going home for lunch,” he explained.
By 2000, their efforts transformed all sandy land into green fields. But Ulziidelger didn’t stop. When China launched an environmental program in 2004, as village Party chief, he organized training sessions. He brought forestry experts to teach villagers and shared his own desert-fighting techniques. The results amazed everyone: vegetation cover rose from near zero to 97%. Sandstorms that once buried homes now rarely occur. Ulziidelger’s work earned him honors like “eco-warrior” and “environmental guardian”.
As Ulziidelger ages, it has become increasingly challenging for him to continue planting trees. Facing health challenges, he prepares to pass the task to his son and grandson. “This may be my last year planting trees, but our fight will continue,” he said.
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