The impact of ecotourism on local rural households' livelihood around Wolong Nature Reserve

Ecotourism around Wolong Nature Reserve significantly boosts local livelihoods, particularly for full-time and part-time tourism operators, while also intensifying pressure on giant panda habitats. The study reveals that tourism shifts traditional livelihood strategies by replacing them with tourism-related activities and increasing herb-picking to meet tourist demand, which disrupts panda habitats. Nine key indicators—such as farmland quality, income, and access to training—shape these changes. To mitigate negative impacts, the research suggests diversifying tourism resources, integrating herb cultivation into local livelihoods, and strengthening surveillance systems.

Shi, H., Zhang, L., Song, B., & He, C. (2022). The impact of ecotourism on local rural households’ livelihood around Wolong Nature Reserve. Forestry Economics Review, 4(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1108/fer-06-2021-0013