A Study On The Agriculture Exploitation And Ecological Environment Transition In Manasi River Basin

Arid areas are most sensitive to changes in global environment. Covering 52.5% of territory in China, arid and semi-arid areas is now a hot topic which focuses on its sustainable development and changes in ecological environment. Located to the east of Urumchi and to the west of Ala mountain pass in Bole, the comprehensive economic belt on north slope of Tianshan mountain in Xinjiang is one of the key zones for land exploitation and cultivation in China. Manasi river valley lies in the heart of the comprehensive economic belt and is economically of great importance in Xinjiang. There is a close relationship between changes in ecological environment and agricultural development in Manasi river valley. Environmentally, socially and economically Manasi river valley is typical in arid areas. Therefore, study on changes in ecological environment resulting from large scale agricultural exploitation in Manasi river valley can help us to get a full understanding of the course of regional development as well as changes in ecological environment in arid areas. In this sense this paper is of great academic and realistic value.This paper falls into five parts: part I introduction to economy, society and physical geography in Manasi river valley; part II course of agricultural development; part III effect of agricultural development on changes in ecological environment; part IV causes of changes in ecological environment; part V institutional and technological innovations for sustainable agricultural development in Manasi river valley.Agricultural exploitation in Manasi river valley began back in Tang Dynasty and was intensified since liberation. Now Manasi river valley is the biggest man-made oasis in China. Great changes in ecological environment are the result of large-scale agricultural development since liberation. In the past fifty years, man-made oases replaced natural ones. As a result, threat from sand storm was weakened and climate was greatly improved within oases. Economic efficiency was also enhanced. All these achievements can hardly be seen in other arid areas throughout the word. Therefore it is no surprise that Manasi river valley is one of the regions with rapid economic growth in modern Xinjiang. Due to improper,...