There is more than just fun for the occasional visitor to a national park - the economics of its conservation
NOTWITHSTANDING all loud discussions
on preserving national parks and
Nomr@es, the economics of the issue has
resnained largely unsubstantiated.
Vlie"ntly, two studies were conducted by
a research team at the Indira Gandhi
VwWtute of Development Research
("M). Bombay, on the contingent val
of the Borivli National Park
and by M Murty and S
us, Institute of Economic
Delhi, on the economic aspects
fto todtitife protection in the Keoladeo
10how" park, Bharatpur.
The studies extensively document
use of 'contingency valuation
mehtods proving it to be a better means
'IOU awaku the recreational aspects of
d natural reserves. It was found
i4FW_Zto under-priced facilities (low
fees, low accomodation
the park incurs a large debt.
The IGIDR study cites the example of
MW aw. also known as Sanjay Gandhi
asawl Park, which attracts more than
hon visitors annually. This
parl incurred a staggering annual
Of Rs 13 million in 1994. More
a adbon encroachers reside on the
!JoWs kw~ft and about 1,800 adivasis
bw mot* the park- Firewood collection
!!&W ampaw kiling reduces forest cover
md dqpades wilMe habitats.
The survey also revealed that people
in Bombay were aware of the BNP'S
importance for whose upliftment they
displayed a high degree of'willingness
to pay' - Rs 8 monthly per household
for the next five years on an average.
The goal ofthe Bharatpur study was,
to evaluate the application of current
techniques of wildlife economics, to
provide data from a specific case study
at the Keoladeo National Park, and to
propose possible policy options to
improve people-park relations.
Increased user charges or gate fees,
wildlife protection tax on domestic
nationals, and voluntary contributions
through environmental NGOS were suggested as efficient measures.
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