China's national parks to adopt global best practices

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A National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) collaborated study focusing on developing a national park system, a critical environmental priority in China, has submitted its recommendation to the government.

The extensive recommendation prepared by the NDRC, Paulson Institute and Heren Foundation published in a book series on creating a unified and effective park system.

In 2014, China announced to streamline its protected areas that comprise of nearly 20 percent of the country's land. Around 10 pilot projects were also launched to understand the best model and practices that could be adapted in country's parks by 2020.

In order to prepare an extensive plan to improve the parks further, the NDRC and Paulson Institute signed a framework agreement for cooperation in 2015. After three years of collaboration and extensive exchange, recommendations have been prepared as a 14-volume book series.

"This project completed solid research to a high academic standard that offers practical guidance to support reaching consensus about how to establish the system of national parks, develop a national parks master plan, and promote the reform of the protected area system," said Peng Fuwei, deputy director general of the Department of Social Development, NDRC.

The recommendation covers an array of key sectors including governance structure, spatial planning, legal foundation, resource conservation, concession management, and financing mechanism for the development of the park system.

Experts also took into account international case studies to draw global experience in managing protected areas. Crucial lessons from well-established national park systems, like those in Brazil, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, and the U.S., have been included in the recommendation.

Rose Niu, chief conservation officer, Paulson Institute, said, "One of the most important roles Paulson Institute can play is to identify and promote the international best practice."

"In partnership with the NDRC and Heren Foundation, we have drawn on good practices from countries across the world to develop recommendations to assist China in establishing a world-class national park system."

Globally, national parks are heavily protected to save bio-diversity and wildlife. In recent years, the vast majority of the countries have been working hard to expand the parks and banning commercial activities affecting flora-fauna in them.

(Top Photo: China is developing a comprehensive plan for its national parks including Potatso National Park, Shangri-La, Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.)