timberland-forest-inner-mongolia-2001 Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

Thanks to Timberland Malaysia, I had the great opportunity to join in their yearly Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia. This is a major part of their Earthkeeper’s effort to combat desertification and sandstorms in Horqin, Inner Mongolia.

This trip was an unforgettable journey for me, from the tree-planting activities to getting to know the myriad of beautiful people, the spectacular scenery that seems to be everywhere, and, of course, the consumption of glorious local food!

Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

I would also like to experience the jobs undertaken by Mr Yoshio Kitaura and Mr Takashi Otaki, the two prominent persons behind Green Network. They are a Japanese NGO that has been working with Timberland to green the Horqin desert in Inner Mongolia since 2001.

Pruning the trees at the Wafang Desert in Mongolia.

Tree Pruning at Wafang Desert

After a hearty local breakfast, we headed out to Wafang desert, and it started to drizzle halfway. I was slightly disappointed with the weather, but luckily, throughout the journey, I was distracted by the beautiful landscape of pine trees, endless rows of corn fields, and sunflowers.

tree-pruning-timberland-horqin Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — It was still drizzling when we reached the site, but spirits were not dampened, and most of us seemed to be enjoying the cool weather and looking forward to pruning some trees!

tree-pruning-earth-keepers Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — The pruning of the lower branches encourages faster and more significant growth, as explained by Mr Yoshio Kitaura.

tree-pruning-horqin-inner-mongolia Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — Tree pruning at the Agula Desert in Mongolia.

Tree Planting at Agula Desert

The next day, after an approximately three-hour bumpy bus ride, the Singapore winner of the Timberland Photography contest 2011 found humour in it and commented, “This is like a Disneyland ride!” Kudos to him for being so cheerful under such circumstances; the beauty of nature has its magical touch.

earthkeepers-2001-timberland-horqin Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

Heading to the Wafang Desert

Then, we were ‘herded’ into a truck, another unforgettable journey to the actual tree planting site. Along the way, we enjoyed magnificent views of farms, Mongolian yurts, mountains, and local horses, cattle, and sheep.

mongolian-yurts-homes-timberland Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — Mongolian Yurts seen from a distance.

inner-mongolia-livestock-horqin Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

A horse in the Wafang Desert

timberland-forest-horqin-inner-mongolia Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — Since 2001, Timberland has planted one million trees in Horqin and has committed to plant two million more in the next decade.

timberland-earthkeepers-2011 Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia — This is what desertification looks like. Overgrazing by domestic livestock creates desertification, producing sandstorms that affect China and neighbouring countries like Japan and Taiwan.

aishah-sinclaire-timberland-2011 Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

Aishah and fellow Earthkeepers formed a human chain to water the newly planted tree saplings. Aishah Sinclair, Malaysian actress and television host, is the ambassador for Timberland Earthkeepers. She is well-known for helping to inculcate a caring attitude for the environment, especially with the younger generation.

timberland-outdoors-mongolia-2011-team Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

The team from Malaysia and Singapore, including the winners from the Timberland Photography Contest 2011.

timberland-outdoors-team-horqin-2011 Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

The Timberland Outdoors Horqin – Jiuzhaigou Team 2011 at Agula Desert.

timberland-outdoors-team-mongolia-2011 Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia

The Timberland Outdoors Horqin – Jiuzhaigou Team 2011 at the Timberland Forest.

As Arthur Ang, the Regional Marketing Director for Timberland Asia Pacific, puts it, “…it starts from everyone to have a better consideration of what we do every day to help preserve the earth, and that’s really what Earthkeepers is.”

If you are a nature lover and adventurous, I highly recommend this “Earthkeeping” trip. Just remember to pack sunscreen, moisturizer, and a good pair of trekking shoes!If you are interested in volunteering for the reforestation project in Horqin, please email Green Network or contact Timberland Malaysia for more information. Mr Takashi Otaki speaks fluent Mandarin and Japanese, of course, but has limited English. You can email him at taki@js7.so-net.ne.jp

Conclusion

For more information about Timberland Earthkeepers’ commitment to a green mother earth and the Timberland Community, visit Timberland Malaysia. Timberland Malaysia made This trip possible for Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia in 2011.This article on Timberland’s Horqin Reforestation Project in Inner Mongolia was written by – Lilian Chua, a freelance writer from Malaysia.

“Even if I knew that the world would go to pieces tomorrow, I would still plant my apple tree.” Martin Luther King

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