The central government and the government of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality will invest 769 million yuan (US$93 million) in three years from 2004 to 2007 to build a tree belt along the banks of the Three Gorges Reservoir.

The reforestation project is expected to significantly reduce the amount of sand that washes into the reservoir, purify water in the reservoir and enrich tourism to the reservoir.

According to the National Development and Reform Commission, the reforestation project will cover 179,600 hectares in 22 districts and counties of Chongqing Municipality.

(China Daily October 27, 2004)