Valuing biodiversity of Dachigam National Park: a choice experiment application

Abstract

PurposeBiodiversity loss has become widespread since current rates are potentially catastrophic for species and habitat integrity, and the Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir (India) is not a distinctive case. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to elicit the willingness to pay (WTP) for biodiversity conservation of the Park.Design/methodology/approachA survey-based choice experiment method was carried out at the Dachigam National Park, an area that is threatened by several anthropogenic pressures. Attributes selected for analysis through choice experiments were endangered species, national park area, research and education opportunities the park withholds. To estimate WTP, a monetary variable involving an increase in entry fee was also incorporated. To obtain the estimates, the authors use the augmented conditional logit model.FindingsWTP for the selected attributes per visitor turned out to be ₹302.07 for enhancing the population of endangered species, ₹121.91 for improvement in the park area and ₹171.64 for increasing research and education opportunities the park withholds.Research limitations/implicationsThough the study uncovers very important aspects of evaluating the biological resources, albeit with some limitations. The study estimates WTP for biodiversity conservation using a conditional logit model, which is based on a specific area and population sample. It would be better if a broader sample is considered to trace out the findings for meaningful generalization. Besides, the results can be replicated for similar kinds of samples.Practical implicationsWith the use of benefits transfer method, this study aims to provide policymakers with useful information to manage biodiversity attributes across the Himalayan region.Originality/valueThe main contribution of this study is to provide a critical understanding of the valuation to facilitate the concerned body for better planning and management of biological resources. The findings of the present study can be used as an indicator of the inherent economic importance of biological resources across the Himalayan range for their better management and conservation that can help in ensuring sustainable utilization of these resources.

Preserving local biodiversity through crop diversification

“…In terms of the costs of diversifying food crops, although we show that at the county level there are likely no revenue losses, ideally one would use farm level data to demonstrate this more confidently. For cost–benefit analysis purposes it would also be useful to place a monetary value on the gains of avian biodiversity found here, possibly through a contingent valuation study along the lines of Bhat et al (2020). Finally, birds only constitute one small part of the local ecosystem and thus further studies for other types of wild or plant life are needed to draw any broader conclusions regarding the potential benefits from diversifying crops on local biodiversity.…”

Determinants of Recreational Activities Choice in Protected Areas

“…Other studies which dealt more generally with the role of recreational features on tourists preferences without focusing on specific activities found similar results. For example, [13] found visitors preferences to be affected by flora and fauna, [16] by biodiversity levels and educational opportunities, and [19] by the presence of ecotourism attractions, such as waterfalls and caves.…”

“…The choice experiment (CE) approach has been extensively used worldwide to investigate tourists' preferences and recreational behavior. Examples of CE studies that focused on outdoor recreation in protected areas include [10] at Oulanka National Park in Finland, [11] at Kruger National Park in South Africa, [12] at National Park Hoge Kempen in Belgium, [3] at national and natural parks in Romania, [13] at Peñuelas Lake National Reserve in Chile, [14] at the Black-Faced Spoonbill Reserve and [15] at Shei-Pa National Park, both in Taiwan, [16] at Dachigam National Parkland in India, and [17] at birding and avitourism sites in Australia and the United Kingdom. The existing literature using CE to analyze tourism in protected areas has focused on several aspects of recreational demand, such as preferences for improvements to recreational features [18], ecotourism development [19], and willingness to financially support nature conservation [14] and land management under alternative uses [20].…”

Drivers of willingness to pay for reforestation of urban ecosystems in Ghana

“…The study applies a CV approach which is reliably employed in estimating non-marketable or poorly marketed environmental resources (Hanemann, 1994; Mitchell and Carson, 2013; Bhat et al ., 2020; Bhat and Sofi, 2021; Amoah et al ., 2022a, b; Jorgensen, 2023). This technique uses a hypothetical market scenario to obtain bids from individuals indicating their WTP for a resource.…”