We guard you, You guard the Three Rivers Source

The towering snow capped mountains and clear flowing water. Recently, the "Three Rivers Source · Qinyuan Action" 2023 tracing journey started from Golmud, Qinghai, and explored the main source of the Yangtze River, the Tuotuo River, along the Qinghai Tibet Highway. Along the way, we watched and listened, and experienced the touching stories of the Three Rivers Source.

The "Three Rivers Source · Qinyuan Action" is supported by the Three Rivers Source National Park Management Bureau. It is a public welfare action jointly launched by Qinyuan, a water purification brand under Unilever, in collaboration with the China Environmental Protection Foundation and the Three Rivers Source Ecological Protection Foundation. The aim is to help improve the ecological environment of the Three Rivers Source water source areas and the drinking water health of local residents over a period of 10 years, and to support the goal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature in plateau areas.

Technology Empowerment

Give "Healthy Water" to "River Guardians"

Driving from Golmud to the Yangtze River Source Water Ecological Environment Protection Station in Tanggula Mountain Town at an altitude of 4600 meters, the nearly 10 hour high-altitude turbulence has made many people feel that "the eyes are in heaven, the body is in hell" on this journey.

On September 21st, the highest altitude large-scale water purification equipment station built by Qinyuan, "Changjiang No.1 Qinyuan Water Station," was officially put into operation at the Yangtze River Source Water Ecological Environment Protection Station.

"This is the source of the Yangtze River, and Shanghai is the tail of the Yangtze River. Thousands of miles apart, the journey is long, and there are many difficulties. However, our original intention remains unchanged, which is to bring our professional skills and services to deliver healthy drinking water to the people who protect the source of the Yangtze River." said Pan Shiyang, General Manager of the China Region of the Water and Air Health Element Category at Unilever.

Why do you persist so much? Originally, although the water quality of Sanjiangyuan was excellent, it was mainly hard water, and due to its location in a cold and high-altitude environment, the boiling point of water was low, making it difficult to sterilize drinking water by boiling.

"Since 2021, Qinyuan has been relying on long-term experience in research and development of water purification equipment technology and product innovation to launch the" Three Rivers Source • Qinyuan Action ". It has carried out actions in 12 ecological villages in the Yangtze River and Yellow River source areas of the Three Rivers Source National Park, as well as in the Yushu area. By constructing the" Qinyuan Water Station "and zero waste education station, Qinyuan has not only solved the drinking water needs of volunteers, workers, drivers, and tourists inside the station, but also advocated for people to protect the environment with practical actions.".

This year, Qinyuan will also extend its service radius to the Qinghai Tibet Highway and green river stations, providing healthy drinking water support for more people. As of now, a total of 34 "Qinyuan Water Stations" have been built in plateau areas.

Photo by Yu Honghao from the Three Rivers Source of the Great Beauty

Changjiang Yuan Village in Golmud City is a new immigrant village that has been ecologically relocated from Tanggula Mountain. The Yangtze River Source Ethnic School in Golmud City is located in the center of the village, and the students are all the children of herdsmen who have been ecologically relocated. Recently, the "Qinyuan Water Station" was also completed on campus.

"The new equipment can set the temperature, and the taste of the water is even better than before. Thank you, Uncle and Aunt, for your help," said Renzeng Zhuoma, a student at the Changjiang Source Ethnic School in Golmud City.

"In recent years, the country has actively implemented various measures, making the protection of the Three Rivers Source a top priority in Qinghai's ecological civilization construction, building a national ecological security barrier, and ensuring the sustainable flow of blue water to the east. The 'Three Rivers Source · Qinyuan Action' not only leverages the core capabilities and technological advantages of the Qinyuan brand, but also provides path exploration and pilot demonstrations for the ecological environment protection of the Three Rivers Source, benefiting the people of the Three Rivers Source, which is very meaningful," said Wang Zhengang, Deputy Secretary General of the China Environmental Protection Foundation.

Expand "Moments"

Join hands to protect the "Chinese Water Tower"

"Come on, everyone, thank you for your hard work. Come in and take a seat!" Luo Zhou, the patrol officer of Sonandajie Protection Station, greeted everyone with a smile.

He is from Chengduo County, Yushu Prefecture. Five years ago, with admiration for the older generation of patrol officers represented by Sonandajie, he came here determined to contribute to the protection of the Kekexili National Nature Reserve.

Work is very hard. I have to wake up before dawn every day, and the farthest patrol distance is 30 kilometers. I also have to withstand high altitude sickness, cold winds, scorching heat, and loneliness. But in order to protect the clear water flowing eastward, Luo Zhou and his colleagues have no complaints or regrets.

Photo by Yu Honghao from Sonan Dajie Protection Station

"There are too many difficulties to count, but there are always more solutions than difficulties. Every time we encounter an insurmountable obstacle, we think of Sonandajie. He is like a bright light, guiding us forward," said Luo Zhou.

In order to share the pressure of patrol officers and mobilize more people to participate in the protection of the Three Rivers Source, this year, the "Three Rivers Source · Qinyuan Action" teamed up with Yang Xin, the president of the Sichuan Green River Environment Protection Promotion Association, to visit four ecological villages in Tanggula Mountain Town, including Duoerma Village, Cuolima Village, Gele Village, and Nuriba Village, to assist ecological management officers in carrying out water source patrol and "plastic picking" operations, and specifically included "protecting biodiversity" in the activity.

"This is just the beginning. Every year, we will participate in the investigation and recording of wildlife in the ecological village at the source of the Yangtze River, participate in the protection work of garbage collection in the water source, and also provide 4-6 training and publicity sessions for grassland and wetland management personnel on water ecological environment protection to enhance their awareness of water ecological environment protection," said Yang Xin.

Photo by Yu Honghao from Bande Lake

It is worth mentioning that with the strong support of the Sanjiangyuan National Park Management Bureau and the Sanjiangyuan Ecological Protection Foundation, Qinyuan has also launched the 2023 "Sanjiangyuan Qinyuan Action" photography collection activity, inviting ecological managers from various parks to record the natural and cultural beauty of Sanjiangyuan, and calling on more people to pay attention to and protect the "Chinese Water Tower".

"The imprint of 'Thinking of the Source of Drinking Water' is in the background of Qinyuan. The 'Three Rivers Source · Qinyuan Action' is our commitment. In the future, we will leverage our core advantages, continue to contribute to the protection of the 'Chinese Water Tower', help the people of Jiangyuan coexist harmoniously with nature, and look forward to more fresh forces joining us," said Pan Shiyang.