The Impact of the anti-Poverty Relocation and Settlement Program on Rural Households’ Wellbeing and Ecosystem Dependence:Evidence from Western China

Cong Li , Xi’an Jiaotong University
Shuzhuo Li, Xi'an Jiaotong University

To evaluate the effect of China’s ambitious anti-poverty relocation and settlement program (ARSP) on improving both human wellbeing and ecosystem conservation, we divide the relationship between household wellbeing and ecosystem dependence into four modes of income generation (MIGs) and examine the impact of ARSP on these modes by using household surveys data. It finds that there are significant differences between two modes of income generation (MIGs) that we classify as “high wellbeing, low dependence” (optimal) and “low wellbeing, high dependence” (worst) in livelihood strategies, income composition, and dependence on ecosystem. We suggest that participating in ARSP could help rural households optimize their MIG by enhancing more non-agricultural activities. Furthermore, households under centralized resettlement, voluntary relocation, and new stage relocation, which are more likely to realize non-agricultural transformation, fall closer to the “optimal” mode. Our analysis also address implications for subsequent policy in promoting sustainable livelihood strategies for the relocated households.

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 Presented in Session P11. Migration in a Changing Climate