CHENGDU, Feb. 14(Xinhuanet)-- Forest coverage in southwestern Sichuan Province has increased to 27.94 percent from 24.3 percent in 2003, making the region, a major habitat of giant pandas, a greener home, according to the local government.

More than 20 million hectares of forest have been brought underprotection and 3.61 million hectares of forest have been planted since 1997. This is a result of two provincial projects, the natural forest protection and cultivated land reforestation, said Yang Dongsheng, head of the provincial forestry department.

"We have given priority to the afforestation in the habitats, especially nature reserves, for giant pandas," said Yang.

The province's efforts have paid off. The latest national survey on giant panda, which was organized by the State Forestry Administration, showed that the population and habitat of the pandas in Sichuan have both increased 30 percent during the past seven years.

"Now China has about 1,700 giant pandas and 76 percent of them live in Sichuan," said Yang, adding that the provincial governmenthas obtained a financial support of more than 24 million yuan(2.89 million US dollars) for nature reserve construction from the central government.

"We will definitely first consider the panda natural reserves when planning how to use the money," said the official.