Hou Gui patrols in woodland in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
This is how an elderly Chinese villager protects environment at hometown: Hou Gui planted over 200,000 trees on sandy land over the past 18 years in NE China's Liaoning.
FUXIN, Oct. 10, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Hou Gui, 68, 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 18 years.
"When I was a child, the wind blew up the sand and I couldn't see anything." Hou Gui said. In order to protect his homeland, Hou Gui began afforestation in 2001.
In recent years, with the strengthening of government management, villagers' awareness of forest protection has increased, and the number of livestock grazing in forest areas has decreased significantly.
"Through more than a decade of hard work, the natural forest has been preserved and the plantation has been expanding. This is a matter for the benefit of future generations. I'll stay here for my lifetime." Hou Gui said.
Hou Gui rests during patrol in woodland in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui patrols in woodland in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui (R) and his wife picks pine cones for seeds in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui waters saplings in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui explains his plan of the forest area in woodland in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui patrols in woodland in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)
Hou Gui cultivates saplings in Zhangwu County of Fuxin City, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Xinhua/Long Lei)■
