Inclusive Conservation or Controlled Displacement? Reassessing Community Participation in China’s Ecological Migration Programmes

This study examines the extent and implications of community participation in the decision-making and governance processes surrounding ecological relocation induced by the establishment of protected areas. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with government officials, community representatives and relocated residents in two counties within the planning area of the Giant Panda National Park, the research finds that the quality of participation largely hinges on the localisation of policy implementation and the representativeness of community intermediaries. Although official narratives stress the voluntary nature of relocation, China’s distinctive rural governance structure tends to amplify the authority of community representatives, often at the expense of adequately reflecting residents’ voices and concerns. While the overall effectiveness of participatory approaches remains contested, recent innovations in institutional design have opened up new avenues for community involvement in protected area governance. This study contributes to the literature by shedding light on livelihood transformations and governance dynamics in resettled communities, and identifies potential entry points for enhancing local governance and collaborative management of protected areas.