Sustainable development of national park communities in China: Conditions, challenges, and implementation paths

Promoting the sustainable development of communities in national parks is essential to the high-quality construction of the world’s largest national park system in China. Drawing on systematic social surveys of communities within national parks and candidate areas, this study outlines the key characteristics of these communities and analyzes their current development status, challenges, and constraints. It proposes a fivefold approach to advancing sustainability. Namely, (1) conceptually, by establishing a theoretical and cognitive framework for human–nature coexistence and overcoming antagonistic perceptions between parks and communities; (2) strategically, by fostering model villages and green development zones led by communities; (3) institutionally, by clarifying community status, responsibilities, powers, and interests through legislation and dedicated coordination bodies; (4) in terms of policy, by improving mechanisms for zoning, ecological compensation, green industry support, and benefit-sharing; and (5) practically, by empowering communities to strengthen livelihood assets and build endogenous development capacity.