It’s been given the title “Asia’s water tower”: Sanjiangyuan, meaning “the source of three rivers”, is an area in Qinghai. It is the source of the Yellow River, Yangtze River and Lancang River.

The three rivers provide water for as many as 600 million people, or almost half the population of China. And yet, because of its weak ecosystem (生态系统) and human activities, the environment in Sanjiangyuan is becoming worse, putting the country’s water source at risk.

This is why China built its very first national park, the Sanjiangyuan National Park, to protect the sources in 2020. The park will also increase the area’s green coverage and become the home of many wildlife species.

Long before the decision to build the park was made, however, volunteers across the country had already started their own effort to protect Sanjiangyuan.

Take Ren Shihai for example, a 38-year-old volunteer from Beijing. Ren is a member of the Shan Shui Conservation Center, focusing on environmental protection in the Sanjiangyuan area. He joined a team of volunteers who taught at the No 2 Middle School in Zaduo county, in Qinghai’s Yushu. He said he got a feeling of happiness when students were very excited when he spoke about the rivers and mountains in Sanjiangyuan and why it was important to protect them.

Zhaxi Bading, a 13-year-old Tibetan student, said he learned something new in Ren’s class. “I know the rivers that run through my hometown but I didn’t know their effects on the environment of the lower reaches,” he said. “I’m proud that my hometown is beautiful, and I want to protect it.”

Now under the protection of our country, hopefully “Asia’s water tower” will still have that name for years to come.

【小题1】What problem is Sanjiangyuan facing now?

A．Less wildlife.	B．Worsening environment.
C．More visits.	D．Not enough water.

【小题2】Why did China build the Sanjiangyuan National Park in 2020?

A．To protect the water sources.

B．To study the wildlife in the area.

C．To enlarge the area of green coverage.

D．To increase the number of wildlife species.

【小题3】How did Ren Shihai protect Sanjiangyuan?

A．By advising the government to build a national park.

B．By keeping the rivers and mountains in the area natural.

C．By collecting enough money to feed its wild animals.

D．By raising local children’s awareness of protecting it.

【小题4】What is the writer’s attitude towards the future of Sanjiangyuan?

A．Unconcerned.	B．Doubtful.
C．Positive.	D．Worried.