How Do Conservation and the Tourism Industry Affect Local Livelihoods? A Comparative Study of Two Nature Reserves in China

Weiye Wang,Mengmeng Jin,John Innes,Robert Kozak,Jinlong Liu

doi:10.3390/su10061925

Weiye Wang, Mengmeng Jin + Show 3 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su10061925

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Abstract

Drawing on a comparison of two different nature reserves (NRs) in China, this paper explores the effect of the establishment of the NRs and the associated tourism industry development on local livelihoods, and analyzes why they differed. One hundred semi-structured interviews were administered with local elites, villagers, and government officials to identify livelihood changes. Based on a modified sustainable livelihoods framework, we found that the livelihoods of people living in both NRs had improved, but there was a loss of traditional culture and weakened social connections. The provision of alternative livelihoods options was critical for local people, with these options needing to have strong connections to China’s development policies. The results point to the importance of providing alternative livelihood strategies when establishing new conservation areas. This requires holistic management plans that not only address conservation, but also consider the impacts on local people.

Highlights

There were no national protected areas (PAs) in China until 1956, when the Dinghushan nature reserve was established in Guangdong Province
This study used a modified sustainable livelihoods framework to analyze livelihood changes and strategies conducted in the process of nature reserves (NRs) establishment
In Jiuzhaigou Biosphere Reserve (JBR), local residents realized the importance of biological conservation, as they could directly foresee its benefits in relation to development

Summary

Introduction

There were no national protected areas (PAs) in China until 1956, when the Dinghushan nature reserve was established in Guangdong Province. As with many other developing countries, China’s nature reserves (NRs) have been greatly influenced by Western countries, and attracting international funding is one of the reasons for designating sensitive areas as nature reserves [1,2]. There are many types of PAs in China, including forest parks, scenic resorts, NRs, wetland reserves, geoparks, and others. NRs usually focus on the conservation of terrestrial biodiversity, and around 80% of NRs are forested. Since the 1980s, when there were 19 NRs, China’s NR network has grown substantially, and by the end of 2016, 2740 NRs had been established [3]

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