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Review Articles on Ecological Resettlements: Insights, Gaps, and Pathways

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  • Hari Prasad Pandey

    (Institute of Life Sciences and the Environment (ILSE), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems (CSAS), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Department of Forests and Soil Conservation, Ministry of Forests and Environment, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal)

  • Tek Narayan Maraseni

    (Institute of Life Sciences and the Environment (ILSE), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Centre for Sustainable Agricultural Systems (CSAS), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China)

  • Armando Apan

    (Institute of Life Sciences and the Environment (ILSE), University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    School of Surveying and Built Environment, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, QLD 4350, Australia
    Institute of Environmental Science and Meteorology, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines)

  • Han Zhang

    (College of Economics and Management, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, No. 3, Taicheng Road, Yangling, Xianyang 712100, China)

Abstract

Systematically synthesizing existing knowledge on ecological resettlements (ERs) is crucial for shaping future research and conservation strategies. We conducted a systematic literature review (SLR) using the Web of Science and Scopus databases, analyzing 63 research articles in the review domain of ER. Most reviewed articles emphasize people’s welfare in ERs but adopt traditional review approaches, hindering the identification of specific research gaps. This review identifies and focuses on four cross-cutting themes: anthropocentric notions and social equity, parks–people relationships, political ecology and biodiversity conservation, and connecting nature with people for harmonious coexistence. Further, the review highlights key themes in ER and conservation, emphasizing social equity, political ecology, and human–nature relationships. It underscores the need for social justice, the recognition of displaced communities’ rights, and the promotion of participatory decision making. Conservation efforts should prioritize minimizing displacement and respecting local rights, with a focus on co-management models. Case studies, particularly from India and African countries, reveal the impacts of conservation-induced displacement on marginalized communities and ecosystems. Further, we identified 45 key areas across 15 thematic dimensions for future review and research gaps, which will inform decision making in the discipline. We call for long-term assessments of resettlement to address ecological and social consequences, bridging the gap between social scientists and biologists for balancing conservation and human welfare. Finally, we discuss our findings and propose future research directions to inform conservation policies for the harmonious coexistence of humans and non-human beings on a shared planet.

Suggested Citation

  • Hari Prasad Pandey & Tek Narayan Maraseni & Armando Apan & Han Zhang, 2025. "Review Articles on Ecological Resettlements: Insights, Gaps, and Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-17, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:9:p:4094-:d:1647735
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Brooke Wilmsen & Mark Wang, 2015. "Voluntary and involuntary resettlement in China: a false dichotomy?," Development in Practice, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 25(5), pages 612-627, July.
    2. Hari Prasad Pandey & Tek Narayan Maraseni & Armando Apan & Shreejana Bhusal, 2024. "Achieving SOC Conservation without Land-Use Changes between Agriculture and Forests," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-19, August.
    3. Brown, Katrina, 1998. "The political ecology of biodiversity, conservation and development in Nepal's Terai: Confused meanings, means and ends," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 73-87, January.
    4. Lo, Kevin, 2021. "Authoritarian environmentalism, just transition, and the tension between environmental protection and social justice in China's forestry reform," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    5. Hari Prasad Pandey & Tek Narayan Maraseni & Armando Apan, 2024. "Assessing the Theoretical Scope of Environmental Justice in Contemporary Literature and Developing a Pragmatic Monitoring Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
    6. Elinor Ostrom, 2014. "Do institutions for collective action evolve?," Journal of Bioeconomics, Springer, vol. 16(1), pages 3-30, April.
    7. Schmidt-Soltau, Kai & Brockington, Dan, 2007. "Protected Areas and Resettlement: What Scope for Voluntary Relocation?," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 2182-2202, December.
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