Hazards of Collaboration: Local State Co-optation of a New Protected-Area Model in Southwest China

A new protected area model in Yunnan Province, China, intended to foster collaboration and market-oriented conservation, was ultimately co-opted by local state and tourism industry actors. The resulting Pudacuo National Park generates significant revenue for the government but delivers ambiguous conservation benefits while marginalizing local residents. This case study highlights the risks of power imbalances in collaborative conservation efforts, suggesting that explicitly addressing inequality may help conservation promoters achieve more equitable outcomes. The research relied on intensive interviews and document analysis to dissect the dynamics at play.

Zinda, J. A. (2012). Hazards of Collaboration: Local State Co-optation of a New Protected-Area Model in Southwest China. Society & Natural Resources, 25(4), 384–399. https://doi.org/10.1080/08941920.2011.557826