Challenges and Opportunities in Aligning Conservation with Development in China’s National Parks: A Narrative Literature Review

Andrew Rule (), Sarah-Eve Dill, Gordy Sun, Aidan Chen, Senan Khawaja, Ingrid Li, Vincent Zhang and Scott Rozelle
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Andrew Rule: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Sarah-Eve Dill: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Gordy Sun: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Aidan Chen: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Senan Khawaja: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Ingrid Li: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
Vincent Zhang: Stanford Center on China’s Economy and Institutions, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 19, 1-24

Abstract: As part of its effort to balance economic development with environmental objectives, China has established a new national park system, with the first five locations formally established in 2021. However, as the new parks all host or are proximate to human populations, aligning the socioeconomic needs and aspirations of local communities with conservation aims is critical for the long-term success of the parks. In this narrative review, the authors identify the ecological priorities and socioeconomic stakeholders of each of the five national parks; explore the tensions and synergies between these priorities and stakeholders; and synthesize the policy recommendations most frequently cited in the literature. A total of 119 studies were reviewed. Aligning traditional livelihoods with conservation, limiting road construction, promoting education and environmental awareness, and supporting the development of a sustainable tourism industry are identified as important steps to balance conservation with economic development in the new national parks.

Keywords: protected area; national park; biodiversity; social-ecological systems; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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