Abstract:

Recently, the Chinese central government identified key problems in their history that has resulted in poor care for naturally protected areas. Some examples of these problems include having densely populated areas, community livelihood facilities, mining activity, and construction projects occurring in these naturally protected areas. In an attempt at finding solutions to these problems, we first classify these problems into three major categories: (1) both of overprotection and protection gap is existing; (2) conflict between conservation efforts and improving the livelihood of residents living near or in protected areas; (3) a great deal of business activity in protected areas. This study then describes an in-depth analysis on the institutional reasons for each category of historical problems. Finally, in order to rationally resolve these problems and improve the quality of protected area construction and management this study proposes the following systematic solutions from four aspects: (1) strengthening the top-level design of planning and construction of China’s protected areas; (2) formulating and revising relevant laws and regulations for protected areas; (3) taking measures to resolve problems dealing with land tenure and mining rights in protected areas; (4) establishing institutional mechanisms to balance both conservation and development of protected areas.

Key words: natural protected area, problems left over by history, institutional reason, system solution