At the Yellow River ecological restoration project site in Hangjinhou Banner, Bayannur City, over one hundred desertification control workers are using high-pressure water jets to irrigate sand-tolerant plants. The project adopts a local-hiring model, prioritizing the employment of idle labor from surrounding areas for construction and maintenance duties. Villagers take on these roles during off-farm seasons, earning wages based on their work, which effectively addresses the labor shortage in ecological management.

Ding Yuzhi, a villager from Tairong Village in Shuangmiao Town, has been involved in desertification control work for two consecutive years. At 6 AM, she carries her shovel into the sandy terrain, skillfully laying out drip irrigation lines and checking the moisture levels of the seedlings. "I've leased out my farmland and work here instead, earning 200 yuan a day for over five months a year. The desert is being effectively managed, which protects the farmland and improves our hometown's ecological environment," Ding explained.

Situated on the eastern edge of the Ulan Buh Desert, Hangjinhou Banner encompasses 640,000 mu of desert land. Since 2024, local authorities have piloted a "work-for-relief" governance model, leveraging the organizational power of village collectives and cooperatives to encourage widespread public participation in sand control. This approach makes villagers both participants in ecological restoration and direct beneficiaries. To date, the initiative has created local employment opportunities for more than 1,000 villagers, with per capita income exceeding 10,000 yuan.

Duan Guangshuo, Deputy Director of the Hangjinhou Banner Forestry and Grassland Bureau, noted, "The 'work-for-relief' projects prioritize hiring residents from areas adjacent to the sandy regions. They have long-term experience in desertification control and are familiar with the processes and techniques of afforestation, bringing valuable practical expertise that ensures construction quality. We also implement an incentive system, rewarding workers who demonstrate high-quality planting performance to boost morale and ensure every step is completed effectively."

Today, Hangjinhou Banner is witnessing a gradual increase in greenery across its sandy expanses alongside rising incomes for its residents. Through the "work-for-relief" policy, the region has closely integrated ecological governance with public welfare. This has not only curbed the spread of desertification, revitalizing the once-barren sands, but has also filled the pockets of its people. With robust ecological management and viable pathways for income growth, the former desert is steadily transforming into a green ecological barrier, laying a solid foundation for the banner's sustainable development.