ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ECO-TOURISM IN VAN VIHAR NATIONAL PARK

 

ECONOMIC VALUATION OF ECO-TOURISM IN VAN VIHAR NATIONAL PARK

Keywords: TCM, WTP, elasticity, investment

Abstract: 

Ecotourism focuses on preserving the natural environment and wildlife, providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors. The different types of tourism, is focused on responsible travel to natural areas. Eco-tourism plays an important role in revenue generation for the local authority & to state/ central government.

Van Vihar National Park is located in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the most popular ecotourism destinations in the country, attracting over 1 million visitors annually. The park is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, and over 200 species of birds. Ecotourism activities at Van Vihar National Park include jeep safaris, nature walks, and boat rides. Visitors can also learn about the park's wildlife and conservation efforts at the interpretation centre.

Van Vihar in 1983, notified as “National Park” & governed under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Van Vihar is the only place in Central India, ‘rescue Centre harbours’ number of lions from the circuses, sloth beers & other abandoned / distressed animals like tigers, panthers, beers are rescued from the wild. Van Vihar Park consists of many rare & endangered species & others varieties of animals e.g. Tiger, Snakes Asiatic Lions, Narasingha, Jackals, wild boars, black bucks, kingfisher, painted stocks.

The objective of this paper is to assess benefits of ecotourism for national parks and local communities. Secondly, to find out how the ecotourism revenue can create a stable source of income for park. Lastly to study the economic benefits of ecotourism, including spending on lodging, food, and transportation.

In this study two method of economic valuation have been used a) Travel cost method and b) Tourism Expenditure Method. Travel Cost Method is based on the Assumption of the value of a recreational site is reflected in the amount of money that people are willing to spend to travel to and visit the site. e.g. cost of transportation, lodging, food, and other expenses

Both primary and secondary data was collected through structured questionnaire and interviewed 25 respondents after pretesting of questionnaire. The key informants were the tourists, entering in the national park. After data collection, data compilation and tabulation work were done on computer. Simple statistical techniques were also used in the interpretation of data.

The Tourism Expenditure Method was based on the assumption that economic value of ecotourism is equal to the sum of the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts of visitor spending. This method provides a more complete picture of the economic value of ecotourism than other methods, such as the travel cost method, which only takes into account the direct economic impacts of visitor spending.

After analysis of data, the study suggests based on the tourist response that more Animals, Especially Tigers should have kept in the national park. The information sharing will create an awareness level about the animals. For creating new infrastructure and fencing near by the upper lake will avoid the risk of incidents. It is recommended that more investment is required for maintenance of the animal and park. The economic valuation differs due to change in Park policy, entry fee, and expenditure elasticity is governed by the income elasticity of individuals.

Paper Published: Chhattisgarh Green Summit ( National  Institute of  Technology, Raipur )