BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- China will take stronger-than-expected green measures to lift about 15 million people out of poverty by 2020.

These green poverty-alleviating moves include enhancing investment in ecological tourism by building more forest tourism zones, which might help boost income for about two million impoverished residents, according to the work plan jointly released by the country's top economic planner and five other government agencies.

Meanwhile, poor regions are encouraged to plant more cash crops and raise specific livestock.

More ecological preservation projects will involve the participation of poor regions to boost employment and increase incomes.

A total of 13.15 million mu (876,667 hectares) of forest will be planted involving 279 impoverished counties.

The work plan aims to achieve win-win results by increasing incomes in poor regions while greening the country and its economy.