From Dependency to Co-creation: Advances Geo-heritage Protection through Characteristic Industries and Community Participation

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by Zhang Jiabo, Wudalianchi Scenic Area Nature Reserve Management Committee

Birdview of Nangelaqiu Mountain

Dai, Chun

Nestled in Heilongjiang Province, Wudalianchi Geological Park is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve famed for its 14 volcanoes, expansive lava fields, five interconnected lakes, and numerous mineral springs. This "natural volcano museum" showcases world-class volcanic geo-heritage, premium therapeutic mineral water, and a unique health rehabilitation ecosystem. To address challenges like high population density and local dependence on natural resources, the park adopted a people-centered approach. It promotes sustainable development by creating specialty industries and engaging communities in conservation. This strategy has raised local incomes, turning residents into active conservation partners, and successfully balancing ecological protection with economic growth, proving that "green mountains are gold mountains."

Last update: 28 Nov 2025

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Context

Challenges addressed

Conflicting uses / cumulative impacts

Lack of alternative income opportunities

Physical resource extraction

Unemployment / poverty

1. The relatively high population density surrounding the protected area, coupled with these communities' livelihood dependence on natural resources, creates significant conservation pressures.

2. Conflicts between conservation and community development.

3. The volcanic geo-heritage, mineral water resources, and vegetation communities on lava plateaus within the protected area demonstrate low resilience to anthropogenic disturbances.

Scale of implementation

Local

Ecosystems

Pool, lake, pond

Wetland (swamp, marsh, peatland)

Theme

Geodiversity and Geoconservation

Local actors

Tourism

Location

中华人民共和国黑龙江省黑河市五大连池市

East Asia

Process

Summary of the process

The management committee addressed residents' livelihood concerns by providing employment, granting them both the time and motivation to engage in higher-level activities (such as participating in seminars or serving as forest chiefs). This ensured that once economically empowered, residents' voices could be effectively guaranteed. Having their opinions heard and adopted significantly strengthened their sense of identity and belonging to the protected area, making them more willing to proactively take on specific responsibilities.

By organizing residents with "conservation motivation" and a "sense of ownership"—the management framework assigned them clear roles and responsibilities, transforming their conservation actions from temporary and passive into long-term, proactive, and institutionalized practices.

As residents undertook management and protection duties, the environment improved, enhancing the value of the protected area (e.g., through ecotourism and premium mineral water products). This, in turn, reinforced the first measure by creating more green jobs and economic benefits, further consolidating the entire model.

Building Blocks

Revitalize local industries to improve the livelihood of local communities

By developing high-quality mineral water products, expanding health and wellness tourism, and enhancing eco-tourism experiences, Wudalianchi has pioneered effective pathways to transform "green mountains into gold mountains".

With support from national poverty alleviation policies and funding, the reserve management authority has collaborated with local governments, village committees, the protected area joint committee, and rural conservation organizations. Through resource consolidation, mining rights processing, brand acquisitions, and enterprise integration, they have successfully revitalized local industries.

According to preliminary statistics, in 2022: (1) The mineral water industry generated approximately 50 million yuan in revenue; (2) Health and wellness tourism brought in 15.6 million yuan; (3) Homestay businesses earned 20 million yuan.

In 2023, socioeconomic progress accelerated significantly: (1) Regional GDP grew by 6%; (2) Total retail sales rose by 6%; (3) Tourist visits and comprehensive tourism revenue both surged by 57.7%.

Enabling factors

Effective resource integration approaches.
A determined and effective governance authority.
A thorough and considerate system of infrastructure in the protected area.

Continuously improve community participation mechanism

The management authority has devised various methods to involve community residents in the construction and management of the protected area, primarily through the following approaches: (1) Participation in daily patrols and law enforcement. Nearly 100 local residents have been employed as full-time rangers to assist in protection patrols; (2) The Wudalianchi Town Government regularly holds meetings with town representatives and organizes seminars to discuss issues such as area management, public security maintenance, and public awareness campaigns; (3) Establishing and implementing a socialized management mechanism for river, lake, forest, and farmland chiefs, fully mobilizing public participation in daily conservation; (4) Encouraging volunteer services.

Enabling factors

Innovative community participation mechanisms.
A determined and effective governance authority.
Willing communities.

Foster local ownership and stewardship

The protected area management authority adheres to a people-centered development philosophy, aiming to meet the growing needs of the public for a better life. By actively engaging with community members, fostering emotional connections, and contributing to local socioeconomic development, the authority has worked to address gaps in public services and infrastructure, as well as organize community activities. It assists communities in solving practical problems, such as providing daytime care services for the elderly and medical services for residents. As a result, the sense of identity and belonging among community members toward the protected area has steadily increased, leading to their active participation in conservation, decision-making, operations, education, and oversight activities. These efforts have driven continuous progress in community development initiatives.

Enabling factors

A determined and effective governance authority.
A Coordination Committee to foster whole-of-society engagement in supporting and participating in the scenic area's development.
Harmonious community relations contribute to effective governance approaches for protected area conservation.

Impacts

Since its establishment, the Wudalianchi Geological Park has consistently adhered to protecting the ecosystem while benefiting local residents. By guiding and supporting communities in developing alternative livelihoods, it has reduced unsustainable use of and dependence on natural resources by the local population. The protected area has unified the quality standards for mineral water, built a high-quality industrial chain for specialty mineral water products, and standardized ecotourism management to create a year-round tourism model. Through regular celebrations of traditional festivals, it has integrated and showcased the local multi-ethnic customs and diverse culture, effectively increasing the income of community residents.

The management authority of the protected area has also incorporated addressing the practical difficulties of local residents into its work responsibilities. It provides services such as daytime elderly care and medical assistance while enhancing environmental improvements. These efforts have significantly raised the living standards of the local community, strengthened their sense of identity and belonging, and deepened their understanding of the importance of conservation. As a result, residents actively participate in protection and management efforts alongside the management authority. The conflict between conservation and community development has been effectively alleviated.