Exploring the Diversity of China's Nature Conservation: An In-depth Analysis
The national park system facilitates a more efficient and effective, top-down approach to safeguarding species and habitats, transforming what was once a fragmented and disjointed collection of protected areas.
TroibNews 
China is a country rich in history, bustling cities, art, and industry, but my focus lies in its wild landscapes, which make up 42 percent of the nation. In contrast, wilderness areas in Europe account for only about 2 percent. However, the extent of wilderness isn’t the only critical factor—protection is paramount.
In 2021, China took a significant step by announcing the establishment of the first five out of a planned 49 national parks that will encompass both land and sea. This raises an intriguing question: how does a national park function in a nation that was once the world's most populated?
To understand the stakes, we must recognize that China is the world’s third most biodiverse country, trailing only Indonesia and Brazil. The nation hosts an array of ecological biomes, from vast deserts in the northwest and some of the highest mountains in the west to tropical forests in the south, as well as rolling hills, river valleys, wetlands, and forests throughout the eastern region.
For instance, China is the sole natural habitat for wild pandas and is home to over 60 percent of the world’s snow leopards. However, there have also been losses; in 2022, the IUCN declared both the Yangtze sturgeon and the Chinese paddlefish extinct, and last year marked the death of the last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle.
After decades of rapid development followed by numerous natural disasters, Chinese leadership is increasingly recognizing the importance of environmental protection. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been a leading advocate for this cause, promoting the slogan “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” which emphasizes the inseparable nature of the environment and economy. He has also set a goal for 2035 to complete the establishment of a "nature reserve system centered on national parks."
By 2018, following the establishment of its first nature reserve 62 years earlier, China had designated 18 percent of its land and 4.6 percent of its water as protected areas through a network of over 10,000 different sites. These efforts have had a positive impact, with species such as the panda being removed from the endangered list. This success raises a question: why is there a need for a new national park system?
The straightforward answer is that a national park system provides a more efficient, top-down approach to protecting species and habitats that previously suffered under a fragmented network of protected areas.
Take the Giant Panda National Park as an example. When this park was established in 2021, it consolidated more than 80 existing protected areas across three provinces into a single, coherent park. The previous management structure had become overly complex, a product of efforts to protect various habitats and resources following significant environmental degradation. An update was long overdue.
The first five national parks were created in 2021 due to their biological importance, encompassing nearly 30% of the country’s key terrestrial species. Additionally, these parks aim to alleviate poverty through ranger employment and local eco-education initiatives. For instance, Sanjiangyuan National Park offers one household member per family the chance to be hired as a ranger. However, a challenge remains regarding the presence of collectively owned land within these national parks, as opposed to state-owned land, which complicates management efforts.
As I navigate this topic, I'm often asked a pressing question: is China, like some other countries, forcibly relocating people to establish these parks?
It's essential to note that China’s national parks are among the most densely populated globally, with the original 10 pilot sites housing over 600,000 residents. Unlike many nations, such as the USA, which have a history of displacing indigenous peoples, the Chinese government is only relocating individuals from the core zones of the parks. Although this transition may not offer residents much choice, all impacted individuals will receive compensation and assistance with relocation, housing, and employment opportunities.
Having explored the benefits these parks provide for nature, we should also consider that national parks, unlike nature reserves, function as “public parks” meant for visitors. How can one experience them?
To address this, I consulted my friend Hui Ying, a professional wildlife filmmaker and nature guide with experience in several of China's national parks.
"China's national parks share many features with national parks worldwide," Hui noted. "They are rich in biodiversity and showcase spectacular geological features. Drawing inspiration from global examples, China has integrated visitor centers into its parks.”
"During the operational phase of the first five parks, we introduced concessions allowing visitors to appreciate nature responsibly. These initiatives also foster an understanding of the relationship between local culture and biodiversity. For instance, eco-tours in Sanjiangyuan National Park mirror African safaris, with local herders serving as drivers and guides."
Although it will take more than a decade to complete China's national park system, the parks have been developed alongside efforts to address poverty, improve air quality, and adapt to challenges like the pandemic. The initial five parks are now open for public exploration, with more on the horizon.
Next Episode: Is smog suffocating China?
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
In 2021, China took a significant step by announcing the establishment of the first five out of a planned 49 national parks that will encompass both land and sea. This raises an intriguing question: how does a national park function in a nation that was once the world's most populated?
To understand the stakes, we must recognize that China is the world’s third most biodiverse country, trailing only Indonesia and Brazil. The nation hosts an array of ecological biomes, from vast deserts in the northwest and some of the highest mountains in the west to tropical forests in the south, as well as rolling hills, river valleys, wetlands, and forests throughout the eastern region.
For instance, China is the sole natural habitat for wild pandas and is home to over 60 percent of the world’s snow leopards. However, there have also been losses; in 2022, the IUCN declared both the Yangtze sturgeon and the Chinese paddlefish extinct, and last year marked the death of the last known female Yangtze giant softshell turtle.
After decades of rapid development followed by numerous natural disasters, Chinese leadership is increasingly recognizing the importance of environmental protection. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been a leading advocate for this cause, promoting the slogan “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets,” which emphasizes the inseparable nature of the environment and economy. He has also set a goal for 2035 to complete the establishment of a "nature reserve system centered on national parks."
By 2018, following the establishment of its first nature reserve 62 years earlier, China had designated 18 percent of its land and 4.6 percent of its water as protected areas through a network of over 10,000 different sites. These efforts have had a positive impact, with species such as the panda being removed from the endangered list. This success raises a question: why is there a need for a new national park system?
The straightforward answer is that a national park system provides a more efficient, top-down approach to protecting species and habitats that previously suffered under a fragmented network of protected areas.
Take the Giant Panda National Park as an example. When this park was established in 2021, it consolidated more than 80 existing protected areas across three provinces into a single, coherent park. The previous management structure had become overly complex, a product of efforts to protect various habitats and resources following significant environmental degradation. An update was long overdue.
The first five national parks were created in 2021 due to their biological importance, encompassing nearly 30% of the country’s key terrestrial species. Additionally, these parks aim to alleviate poverty through ranger employment and local eco-education initiatives. For instance, Sanjiangyuan National Park offers one household member per family the chance to be hired as a ranger. However, a challenge remains regarding the presence of collectively owned land within these national parks, as opposed to state-owned land, which complicates management efforts.
As I navigate this topic, I'm often asked a pressing question: is China, like some other countries, forcibly relocating people to establish these parks?
It's essential to note that China’s national parks are among the most densely populated globally, with the original 10 pilot sites housing over 600,000 residents. Unlike many nations, such as the USA, which have a history of displacing indigenous peoples, the Chinese government is only relocating individuals from the core zones of the parks. Although this transition may not offer residents much choice, all impacted individuals will receive compensation and assistance with relocation, housing, and employment opportunities.
Having explored the benefits these parks provide for nature, we should also consider that national parks, unlike nature reserves, function as “public parks” meant for visitors. How can one experience them?
To address this, I consulted my friend Hui Ying, a professional wildlife filmmaker and nature guide with experience in several of China's national parks.
"China's national parks share many features with national parks worldwide," Hui noted. "They are rich in biodiversity and showcase spectacular geological features. Drawing inspiration from global examples, China has integrated visitor centers into its parks.”
"During the operational phase of the first five parks, we introduced concessions allowing visitors to appreciate nature responsibly. These initiatives also foster an understanding of the relationship between local culture and biodiversity. For instance, eco-tours in Sanjiangyuan National Park mirror African safaris, with local herders serving as drivers and guides."
Although it will take more than a decade to complete China's national park system, the parks have been developed alongside efforts to address poverty, improve air quality, and adapt to challenges like the pandemic. The initial five parks are now open for public exploration, with more on the horizon.
Next Episode: Is smog suffocating China?
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
