XINING -- Northwest China's Qinghai province, which administers a part of the Sanjiangyuan area, known as China's "water tower," plans to reinforce afforestation efforts to boost ecological protection in 2023.

Deng Erping, deputy director of the provincial forestry and grassland department, said Monday that the province has set aside 5 billion yuan (about $726 million) which will be used to add 4 million mu (about 266,667 hectares) of greenery and carry out 1.2 million mu of sand control management this year.

The Sanjiangyuan area contains the headwaters of China's three major rivers, namely the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang.

Deng said over the past three years, Qinghai has launched massive campaigns adding a total of 21 million mu of afforestation and restoring 8.71 million mu of grassland areas, which have resulted in an increase in both the wildlife population and local people's income.