National parks balance green, economic goals

While some developing countries still struggle to strike a balance between environmental preservation and economic development, many national park dwellers in China find themselves in a winning situation.

According to Zhao Yingmin, viceminister of ecology and environment, China has found a way to ensure that residents and communities benefit from the creation of national parks by enrolling them in conservation efforts.

Promoting eco-friendly businesses is the key, he said at a news conference on Oct 13 during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, or COP 15, in Kunming, capital of Yunnan province.

“In particular, by integrating efforts to advance ecological progress with the national poverty eradication drive, we have kept biodiversity intact, boosted the development of local communities and helped residents increase their incomes and eliminate poverty,” Zhao said.

China announced its first group of officially designated national parks on Oct 12 at COP 15. The country is placing increasing emphasis on conservation.

Regulations allowing people to run eco-friendly businesses and prioritize job opportunities at national parks have also been enacted, Zhao said, citing the Sanjiangyuan National Park as an example of the proper balance between the creation of national parks and local development.

Created to protect part of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, over 17,000 herdsmen have been offered jobs as rangers at Sanjiangyuan, resulting in an average annual increase in income of 21,600 yuan ($3,343).