Chongqing - "Combining rocky desertification management with the development of the sericulture industry, we have come out with a new green road to enrich the people," said Zhang Huai, director of the Qianjiang District Ecology and Environment Bureau, at a press conference on December 5.

Zhang added that as of this year, the annual comprehensive output value of the silk industry cluster has surpassed 1 billion yuan (about USD 140 million), making it one of the region's most important support industries for rural revitalization.

The Apeng River. (Photo/Qianjiang District Ecology and Environment Bureau)

Chongqing is one of the eight areas in China most seriously affected by rocky desertification. Qianjiang, located in the Wuling Mountain area in southeastern Chongqing, represents the heart of this environmental challenge. The region accounts for 42.8% of the city's total area of rocky desertification. Yet, through the development of sericulture, the district has managed to transform adversity into opportunity.

A key achievement in this process is the transformation of the Apeng River basin. "Through mulberry cultivation and sericulture, we have helped 70% of the villages in the basin stabilize their incomes," Zhang said.

This year, technological innovations have further enhanced the industry's potential. For the first time, Qianjiang promoted the cultivation of silkworms in the late autumn season, extending the sericulturists' income throughout spring, summer, autumn, and now into late autumn.

A different ecological story is unfolding in nearby Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County. At the crossroads of Chongqing, Hunan Province, and Guizhou Province, Xiushan is rich in manganese resources. Xiushan has depended economically on its manganese industry for years, but this has come at a significant ecological cost.

Xiaoxi Reservoir in Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County, Chongqing. (Photo/Tang Lei)

"Xiushan has mobilized 2.3 billion yuan through various channels to phase out outdated production capacity and invest in pollution control measures," said Zhong Yi, director of Xiushan Tujia and Miao Autonomous County Ecology and Environment Bureau.

Xiushan has shut down 48 manganese-related enterprises, decommissioned 1.7 million tons of outdated production capacity, and closed 201 mine shafts, setting a national precedent for phasing out inefficient production in manganese-rich areas.

Furthermore, Xiushan's transformation strategy includes allocating 6,000 mu of industrial land and a 40 million yuan fund to support businesses in adopting sustainable practices. The district has revitalized its industrial base using 330,000 tons of energy indicators and nearly 400 million yuan in power assets, creating a 5 billion yuan industrial cluster with green manufacturing comprising 86% of its output.

According to Li Shangyin, director of Wulong District Ecology and Environment Bureau, Wulong District's ecological economy now accounts for over 73% of its GDP, with the Gross Ecosystem Product (GEP) reaching 239.3 billion yuan and karst tourism valued at 30.3 billion yuan.

The Three Natural Bridges in Wulong District, Chongqing. (Photo/Wulong District Ecology and Environment Bureau)

Wulong has developed notable ecological and cultural brands, including the Impression of Wulong show, international mountain sports competitions, and the Fairy Mountain Camping Music Festival. The Impression of Wulong show is a large-scale live landscape performance directed by China's renowned director Zhang Yimou. Additionally, Jingzhu Village was recognized as the "Best Tourism Village" by the World Tourism Organization, a United Nations agency.

To support its ecological economy, Wulong has issued 10.2 billion yuan in green loans, including a 50 million yuan forestry carbon sink pledge loan, and leveraged policies like carbon emission reductions. The district is also accelerating the construction of clean energy projects, with a total installed capacity of 1.6 million kilowatts- 12% of Chongqing's clean energy supply.