A book aimed at increasing public awareness of environment protection in a major river source region was published Friday in Xining, capital of northwest China's Qinghai Province.

The book, published by People's Education Press, focuses on the environment of the Sanjiangyuan region on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, home to the headwaters of the Yangtze, Yellow and Lancang rivers.

Using songs and proverbs in traditional Tibetan styles, it tells stories about the region, its lakes and endangered animals such as snow leopards and Tibetan antelopes, as well as climate challenges on the plateau.

"The first 15,000 books published will be given to elementary schools around the region," said Zhang Xueyuan, forestry official. "We want to raise awareness of environmental protection in children and their parents."

The Sanjiangyuan region covers an area of 366,000 square kilometers. It has a unique environment and climate, making it an ideal ecosystem for rare alpine species. The region includes the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve which was established in 2003 to protect the headwaters of the three important rivers.