Yuli's all-round forest ranger

It takes time and stamina to patrol this vast territory-Ali has to walk tens of kilometers every day. The natural poplar forest has a complex topography that includes sand dunes, wetlands and lakes. In order to understand the growth patterns of the poplars, Ali sometimes uses a motorcycle to reach places that he can't reach on horseback, like sand dunes. When the terrain gets too difficult to reach by horse, he continues on foot. Where there is water, he paddles his canoe. He is a man who can take control of all kinds of transportation. Some people call him the "amphibious all-round ranger".

During the summer, the temperatures on the edge of the desert regularly exceed 40 C, while in winter they drop below-20 C. The extreme conditions are a test of endurance that the forest rangers must bear. Strong winds, sunburn, mosquito bites, and scratches are even more commonplace, as is loneliness, since they spent long stretches away from their homes and family. "It's really hard, but I know the value of every poplar. I guard them, and they guard my hometown," says Ali looking at the green expanse in the distance.