Appendix VI-A. Checklist - Steps of the planning method for national park systems

Pre-field Activities

Step 1: Design the Conceptual Framework of the Park System.

a) Gather and study the national development plan, the various plans and proposals for other wildland categories, and other relevant background.

b) Define the primary conservation objectives.

c) Define the various management categories for wildland areas.

d) Correlate the primary conservation objectives with the management categories.

e) Analyze the organizations related to the management of wildlands.

f) Examine the national park category.

g) Prepare criteria for the national park system.

h) Cross-check the conceptual framework for the park system with other wildland categories and the national development plan.

Step 2: Study Existing Conservation Units.

a) Design a field worksheet.
b) Hold a workshop for the planning team.
c) Plan the logistics and schedule for field work.
d) Visit each existing park.

Step 3: Classify and Qualify Conservation Units.

a) Classify each unit in terms of the most appropriate category for its management.

b) Qualify each unit in terms of each criteria.

c) Place the completed field worksheets in the files on conservation units.

Step 4: Summarize the Information and Propose the Draft Park System

a) Overlay the maps and correlate information from the charts to identify units which qualify highly for one or several criteria.

b) Select those units which best qualify for the park system.

Step 5: Search for New Areas to Fill the Open Niches and Propose Their Inclusion in the Park System

a) Identify the open niches in the summary chart.
b) Describe each open niche conceptually, in terms of the criteria.
c) Design specifications for each new area, as per the worksheet.
d) Search for new areas in the field.
e) Classify and qualify each new area.
f) Select those new areas which qualify for the park system.
g) Place the completed field worksheets from new areas in files on conservation units.

Step 6: Suggest Adjustments and Re-Allocation of those Existing Units not Suitable for Inclusion in the Park System.

a) Examine each rejected area from Step 4.
b) Place the suggestions for each rejected area on the summary chart.

Step 7: Propose the Park System Cross-check with the Other Categories of Wildlands and the National Development Plan.

a) Propose the park system.
b) Compare the proposed park system with other wildland management categories.
c) Compare the proposed park system with the national development plan.
d) Make adjustments as necessary.