Relationship, Discourse and Construction: The Power Process and Environmental Impact of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site

Despite significant investments in conservation, the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces (HHRT) continue to experience unexpected degradation. This study reveals that unequal political and social power dynamics underlie this 'conservation paradox,' with power shifting among actors through relational networks and reshaping the natural environment via spatial planning decisions. Conservation discourse serves as a tool for establishing and exercising power, but spatial disparities in development opportunities lead residents to alter farming practices, threatening the site's sustainability. The research integrates political ecology frameworks to analyze actor networks, conservation narratives, and environmental impacts, offering insights into the complex interplay between heritage protection and local development.

Hua, H., Wang, Y., Ding, Z., Liu, H., Zhou, S., & Liu, Y. (2022). Relationship, Discourse and Construction: The Power Process and Environmental Impact of the Honghe Hani Rice Terraces as a World Heritage Site. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24), 17100. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192417100