Conservation Policy-Community Conflicts: A Case Study from Bogda Nature Reserve, China

Abstract

Bogda Nature Reserve is a World Heritage Site (WHS) in Xinjiang, China. Potential conflicts between community development and heritage conservation are important topics to study and may have an impact on the sustainable development of heritage sites. In this study, we conducted a survey with the community residents of the Bogda Nature Reserve to examine major potential conflicts arising from local residents' perceptions regarding conservation policy and its interventions. The results indicated that the local community supports heritage conservation and development, but they expressed negative attitudes towards their present living conditions, especially due to policy-induced loss of benefits. Through the research, three major conflicts were identified: (1) a divergence in residents' awareness of the WHS designation and the conservation policy (grazing restriction policy); (2) negative changes in living conditions compared to before the WHS designation; (3) the degradation of well-being caused by tourism. In addition, expectations from residents were combined to assess the implications for the present situation and advise on conservation plans to facilitate sustainable management in Bogda.

Explanation of the Patterns, Spatial Relationships, and Node Functions of Biodiversity and Island: An Example of Nature Reserves in Guizhou, Southwest China

“…The expansion of the range and increase in the intensity of human activities have resulted in the fragmentation of the habitats of many organisms [1,2]. Fragmentation effects have also exacerbated the isolation of species, changed natural ecological patterns and processes [3], and contributed to biodiversity loss.…”

“…In order to study the main factors and influencing factors of biodiversity, understand the characteristics and categories of biodiversity in regional nature reserves, and provide support for improving the conservation efficiency of regional biodiversity, as of 2018, 11 national-level (contains 1 rare fish reserve) and 12 provincial-level nature reserves had been built in Guizhou Province, China, with a total area of 38.99 km 2 . Although these reserves are diverse in terms of reserve type and the species within them, the nature reserves are scattered, and the islanding phenomenon is obvious.…”

Rights–Values–Interests: The Conflict between World Cultural Heritage and Community: A Case Study of the West Lake Cultural Landscape Heritage in China

“…The role of community in heritage has always been a hotspot in the field of international heritage protection [13][14][15][16]. The Recommendation Concerning the Safeguarding of the Beauty and Character of Landscapes and Sites, which was adopted by UNESCO in 1962, first mentioned the concept of community in heritage documents [17].…”

“…At the local level, the rise and fall of central government leadership depend on whether economic growth is achieved [37], and local government leaders often focus on promoting urban economic development [39]. As a result, China's heritage protection laws often ignore community interests [13]. In this context, community residents may suffer from poor government consideration and lack of a compensation system [40,41].…”

Peace with Hunger: Colombia’s Checkered Experience with Post-Conflict Sustainable Community Development in Emerald-Mining Regions

“…Understanding the local community's perceptions is the starting point from which to identify issues [18] and strong commitment and leadership from various stakeholders are also necessary for this to happen. Local stakeholders in isolation are not able to guarantee lasting community development valuable for local communities.…”