Abstract
The purpose of this study are in to describe designation of nature reservation areas and characteristics in 18 East Asian countries.
The study method executed analyze large literature and materials on national parks and protected areas.The results are as follows.
1. There are 206 national Parks in 12 countries.
2. Total areas of national parks are about 221, 584 square kilometers.
3. In 1933, Philippines designated Mount Arayat as national park, first in East Asia.
4. There are 1, 114 nature reservation areas which are located in 15 countries. Macao, the Lao People's Democratic Republic and Cambodia have not nature reservation area yet.
5. Nature reservation areas are classified into five management categories by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN): (1) Strict Nature Reserve/ Scientific Reserve, (2) National Park, (3) Natural Monument/Natural Landmark, (4) Managed Nature Reserve/Wildlife Sanctuary and (5) Protected Landscapes and Seascapes. Out of 1, 137 protected areas, there are 667 category IV (58.7%), 163 category 11 (14.3%), 176 category 1 (15.5%), 125 category V (11.0%) and 6 category III (0.5%). Managed Nature Reserve / Wildlife Sanctuary have established very rapidly since in 1975.
