Ya'an is where the worlds' first giant panda was discovered and the core area of the panda's habitat in Sichuan. Over years, a great deal of efforts have been made in Sichuan to protect the giant panda and its habitat. As a result, the area of the habitat has been enlarged by 30 and nature reserves for the giant panda has increased to 37. It is reported that the Chinese Government has pledged to gradually expand the conservation area and link currently segmented and isolated sanctuaries for the giant panda by building eco-corridors.

The inclusion on the World Heritage List will help to make biodiversity and harmonious coexistence between the giant panda and humans known to the whole world, raise the reputation of the panda's habitat, upgrade the international profile of Sichuan and promote economic and social development of the province. In the conservation plan, the provincial government has put aside space for the development of local economy and will guide local people to protect the panda's habitat consciously through such measures as fiscal transfer and adjustment of industrial mix.

The inclusion has increased Sichuan's World Heritage sites to five, making it China's province with the most World Heritage sites. But people are concerned about if the habitat's tourism resources will be excessively explored, just like what has happened to Jiuzhaigou , another World Heritage site in Sichuan. Qian Zhenyue, expert and advisor on scenic resorts from the Ministry of Construction of China, noted that there is no need to worry about damages by tourism at least in a few years to come, because tourists are not allowed to enter the core area of the panda's habitat. If some scenic spots attract too many tourists, control measures can be taken, such as raising ticket prices and launching booked tourist services.

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