A study published in Avian Research demonstrates that the Hide-in-Bird Pond (HIBP) model—a community-based grassroots avitourism initiative where local communities establish artificial ponds and feeding stations to attract avian species for non-invasive observation and photography—has proliferated rapidly across China. This model supports substantial avian diversity while concurrently generating supplementary rural income. The research, conducted by researchers from the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, constitutes the  first national-scale assessment of this decentralized conservation-tourism framework.

Based on semi-structured interviews with 98 operators and spatial analysis, the study identified 251 HIBP sites across 24 provinces, with approximately 40% concentrated in Yunnan Province. These sites collectively documented 524 bird species, representing approximately 36% of China’s total avifauna, including 148 nationally protected or globally threatened species. Crucially, 72% of sites were situated within 5 km of protected areas, and 87% were located in regions previously designated as economically disadvantaged, highlighting a significant spatial overlap between the HIBP model and areas characterized by both high biodiversity richness and socio-economic marginalization.

The findings indicate that HIBP can serve as a viable platform for reconciling ecological conservation with sustainable development, providing households with an alternative to resource-dependent livelihoods. Nevertheless, the study also highlights potential risks associated with the absence of standardized management protocols, systematic ecological monitoring, and effective regulatory oversight. Without appropriate governance frameworks, such practices may give rise to certain unintended ecological and management-related consequences.

The researchers call for science-based guidelines, registration systems, and adaptive management to ensure ecological integrity and long-term sustainability. This research offers evidence-based insights into how community-driven ecotourism could support international biodiversity targets, such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while advancing rural revitalization in high-biodiversity regions.

Hide-in-Bird Pond (HIBP) model