Rocky desertification is the most serious ecological problem in the karst area of southern China, affecting the ecological safety of the Pearl River and the Yangtze River, and seriously restricting the sustainable economic and social development of the region. The Party Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to the prevention and control of rocky desertification. In 2008, the State Council approved the Outline of Comprehensive Treatment Planning for Rocky Desertification in Karst Areas ( 2006 2015) In order to further accelerate the rocky desertification treatment and restore the ecological environment of rocky desertification areas as soon as possible, the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Water Resources jointly issued the "Thirteenth Five Year" Construction Planning for the Comprehensive Treatment Project of Rocky Desertification in Karst Area in 2016, which involves 455 rocky desertification counties (cities and districts) in 8 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) including Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Sichuan, and Guangdong.