Illegal wells in East Turkistan spark tension and dry up the land

46 illegal wells were discovered in Korla, dug by Chinese migrants and the Bingtuan (state-run Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps) for cotton and vegetable farming.
Wells drain vital underground reserves, disrupting local ecology
Perpetrators (mostly Han Chinese settlers) faced minimal consequences
Water theft occurs at night, drilling 200-meter-deep wells costing 150,000 yuan
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
Groundwater levels dropped from 10 m to over 30 m depth since 1990s
Euphrates poplars withering
Water table now reaching 100 m depth
Natural underground water replenishment cycle disrupted
The situation highlights ongoing tensions between Uyghur residents and Chinese settlers over water resources, with authorities appearing to favor Han Chinese interests despite environmental concerns.