Progress, problems, and key directions for establishing the first national park demonstration province in Qinghai, China

Establishing a national park system is an important component of the ecological identity of China and an essential measure to achieving natural and ecological protection though governance systems. The goal was to create a model province that integrated environmental protection, ecological integrity, management and support systems, coordinated development, comprehensive evaluation, and livelihood protection, with national parks serving as the main body. A further goal was to obtain a reference and basis for the official establishment of a number of national parks and the initial establishment of a national park system in 2021. Based on the progress of the pilot national park system in Qinghai, in this study, we have summarized some common and individual problems encountered in the construction of a model national park province. Further, five key foci were revealed during the 14th Five-Year Plan period: resource management and functional areas, ecosystem protection, support system construction, coordinated community development, and nature education and ecological experience.