Villagers weed a field at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 29, 2020. In 2003, Zhang Yinglong resigned his work and returned to his hometown Shenmu county, which located in an isolated desert. He contracted a land of 192,000 mu (about 12,800 hectares) and made up his mind to plant trees and control sands here. Over the 17 years, Zhang has contracted accumulated 428,000 mu (about 28,533 hectares) of lands and developed ecological planting and livestock raising industries that can lead the local villagers to increase earnings while preserving the environment. (Photos: Xinhua)

Zhang Yinglong observes on the forest watchtower at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

Spray equipment are seen at a field at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 29, 2020.

Zhang Yinglong observes on a forest watchtower at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

A villager adds water for emus at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 29, 2020.

A villager picks summer squash at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 29, 2020.

Zhang Yinglong (L) and a scientist check a water volume balance observer at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

Zhang Yinglong checks the insect hunter at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

Zhang Yinglong (R) and a scientist check the growth of plants at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

Land has turned green under the management of Zhang Yinglong at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.

Zhang Yinglong checks the growth of plants at Gechougou village, Shenmu county of Northwest China's Shaanxi province, May 27, 2020.