中国神农架国家公园是如何成为保护成功案例的

位于华中腹地的神农架国家公园，已成为保护主义者、自然爱好者和致力于恢复生态系统微妙平衡者的希望灯塔。

作为联合国教育、科学及文化组织（UNESCO）世界生物圈保护区，神农架以其令人惊叹的景观和丰富的生物多样性而闻名，观察家们称之为可持续保护工作的典范，认为它为社区福祉与生态保护的结合提供了蓝图。

神农架成为保护成功案例的道路并非一帆风顺。几十年前，由于经济需求的驱使和对环境后果缺乏认识，对森林的乱砍滥伐曾经十分猖獗。

“那个时候，老百姓没有赚钱的门路，只能砍树，”居民林廷洪说。“在对砍伐森林有了更多了解以后，我意识到这种行为破坏了生态系统"。

观察家们说，转折点出现在联合国环境规划署（UNEP）和全球环境基金（GEF）等国际组织与公园管理局合作之后。他们共同启动了一系列项目，不仅保护了神农架的生态系统，还改善了居民的生活。其关键在于增强社区能力：小型种植园、生态旅游企业和重新造林项目为可持续增长创造了新的机遇。

绿色发展与民生 

对于老林和他的同乡们来说，从伐木到更可持续做法的转变改变了他们的生活。“自从全球环境基金项目实施以来，我们不仅种植了茶叶，还发展了旅游业。现在，家家户户都开起了农家乐。我们老百姓现在过上了富裕的生活，”老林说。

生活在神农架国家公园周边的人们发展起了茶叶种植等可持续发展的小生意，为进一步保护做出了贡献。 拍摄者：联合国环境规划署/阿尔坦•贾马

老林的故事体现了神农架正在发生的广泛变化，“绿色发展”已成为神农架的指导原则。“加强环境保护，必须走绿色发展之路。我们不能再砍树和破坏生态系统，”他补充道。

对可持续生计的重视意味着保护与经济发展之间不再需要妥协或牺牲。相反，它被纳入了中国更广泛的发展目标，为自然和人类创造了双赢的局面。

神农架国家公园绿树成荫的山谷，展现了大自然的静谧之美，令人叹为观止。拍摄者：联合国环境规划署/阿尔坦•贾马

正如神农架国家公园管理局副局长戴光明所指出的：“全球环境基金大神农架项目在保护区能力建设、提高公众意识和……生物多样性保护主流化方面发挥了重要作用”。

守护生物多样性  

神农架保护工作取得的最重要成就之一是濒危物种金丝猴种群的恢复。这种难得一见的物种有着独特的蓝色面孔和金色皮毛，曾因栖息地的丧失而面临灭绝的威胁。

但是，公园努力将毗邻的保护区连接起来，为这些灵长类动物创造了一个 2400 平方公里的广阔保护区。

版权：中国图片库 法新社/杨东（音）

曾是猎人的护林员蒋邦琼亲眼目睹了这一转变。“我申请当护林员，当时保护区负责人知道我以前是猎人，有点担心。因为我曾经是一名猎人，所以我了解捕猎者的心理，知道如何保护野生动物。现在公园给了我机会，让我成为一名全职护林员，”蒋邦琼说。从狩猎到保护的转变不仅有助于保护神农架独特的动物群落，还为致力于保护这片土地的人们创造了新的角色和尊重。

全球典范

神农架国家公园的保护方法获得了国际认可，凸显了该公园作为将社区福祉与生态恢复相结合的全球典范所发挥的作用。对提高认识、提供替代生计和加强执法的重视有助于遏制狩猎和森林砍伐等活动，这些活动曾一度威胁到公园脆弱的生态系统。

通过以可持续的解决方案应对当地的挑战，神农架的保护案例彰显了社区驱动变革的力量。神农架国家公园成为联合国教科文组织世界生物圈保护区，不仅是对其独特的生物多样性的认可，也是对那些致力于恢复其自然之美的人们的褒奖。

在神农架国家公园的悉心保护下，一种充满活力、色彩斑斓的鸟类欣欣向荣。拍摄者：联合国环境规划署/阿尔坦•贾马

正如戴光明所说：“神农架展示了保护区如何成为经济发展与自然保护之间的桥梁”。

How China’s Shennongjia National Park has become a conservation success story

Credit:  UNEP/Artan Jama

Nestled in the heart of Hubei Province, China’s Shennongjia National Park has become a beacon of hope for conservationists, nature lovers and those dedicated to restoring the delicate balance of ecosystems.  

This United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Biosphere Reserve, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity, serves as what observers call a model for sustainable conservation efforts, offering a blueprint for integrating community welfare with ecological preservation. 

Shennongjia’s journey to becoming a conservation success story wasn’t without challenges. Decades ago, deforestation was rampant, driven by economic need and a lack of awareness about the environmental consequences.  

"Back then, ordinary people had no way to make money and had no choice but to cut down trees,” says resident Tinghong Lin. “After learning more about deforestation, I realized that this behaviour destroyed the ecosystem.” 

Observers say the turning point came when international organizations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), partnered with the park authorities. Together, they launched initiatives that not only protected Shennongjia’s ecosystems but also improved the livelihoods of the residents. Empowering the community was key: small-scale plantations, eco-tourism businesses and reforestation projects created new opportunities for sustainable growth. 

Green development and livelihoods

For Lin and his fellow residents, the shift from logging to more sustainable practices has transformed their lives. “Since the implementation of the GEF project, we have not only grown tea but also developed tourism. Now, every household has opened a farmhouse. Our people now live a prosperous life,” Lin says.  

The people who live around Shennongjia Park have developed small sustainable businesses, like tea farming, helping to further conservation. Credit UNEP/Artan Jama

Lin’s story is emblematic of the broader change that has taken root in Shennongjia, where a commitment to “green development” has become a guiding principle. "To strengthen environmental protection, we must take the path of green development. We can no longer cut down trees and destroy the ecosystem,” he adds. 

The emphasis on sustainable livelihoods has meant that conservation is no longer seen as a trade-off to economic progress. Instead, it is integrated into China’s broader development goals, creating a win-win scenario for nature and people.  

A breathtaking wide-angle view of a tree-lined valley, showcasing nature's serene beauty in Shennongjia Park. Credit: UNEP/Artan Jama  

As Guangming Dai, Deputy Director of Shennongjia Park Authority, notes, “The GEF Shennongjia project has played an important role in building the capacity of protected areas, raising public awareness and […] mainstreaming biodiversity protection.” 

Safeguarding biodiversity

One of the most significant achievements of Shennongjia’s conservation efforts has been the rebound of the endangered golden snub-nosed monkey. This elusive species, with its distinctive blue face and golden fur, had faced the threat of extinction due to habitat loss.  

But the park’s efforts to connect neighbouring protected areas have created a vast 2,400-square-kilometer sanctuary for these primates.  

Credit: ImagineChina via AFP/Yang Dong 

Jiang Bangqiong, a former hunter turned park ranger, has seen the transformation firsthand. “I applied to be a ranger, but at that time, the reserve manager was a little worried, knowing that I used to be a hunter. Because I used to be a hunter, I understand the predator psychology and know how to protect wildlife. Now the park has given me the chance to become a full-time ranger,” Jiang says. The shift from hunting to protection has not only helped preserve Shennongjia’s unique fauna but has also created new roles and respect for those committed to conserving the land. 

A global model 

Shennongjia National Park’s approach to conservation has garnered international recognition, highlighting the park’s role as a global model for integrating community well-being with ecological restoration. The focus on awareness raising, providing alternative livelihoods, and strengthening law enforcement has helped to curb activities like hunting and deforestation, which once threatened the park’s delicate ecosystems. 

By addressing local challenges with sustainable solutions, Shennongjia’s conservation story underscores the power of community-driven change. The park’s transformation into a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve not only recognizes its unique biodiversity but also celebrates the dedication of those who have worked to restore its natural beauty.  

A vibrant, colorful bird thriving in Shennongjia Park as a result of dedicated conservation efforts. Credit: UNEP/Artan Jama 

As Guangming Dai says, “Shennongjia shows how protected areas can become a bridge between economic development and nature conservation.”