N China's herdsman pursues a greener path to prosperity

Amid the height of summer, the 780-mu (52-hectare) pasture behind herder Liao Genquan's home in Horqin Right Wing Front Banner, Xing'an League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, is lush and vibrant, while cattle roam leisurely in their pens.

Two years ago, Liao switched from free-range grazing to confined feeding, giving his pasture time to recover. Today, vegetation is thriving, with wild plants with medicinal value such as Chinese skullcap growing across the grassland.

Liao now has 180 head of cattle, with both livestock quality and household income steadily rising. His experience shows how grassland conservation can go hand in hand with greater prosperity.