Assessing Visitors' Preferences and Willingness to Pay for Ecosystem Services in Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu, India: Insights from a Contingent Valuation Study for Conservation Policy

Abstract

Abstract Tiger reserves provide a wide range of ecosystem services, many of which are not traded in the market. Unfortunately, the economic significance of these reserves is often underestimated, resulting in insufficient resource allocation for tiger conservation and a loss of valuable ecosystem services. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Tamil Nadu, India, the nation's first Biosphere Reserve and a significant protected area, is increasingly vulnerable due to negative externalities that affect the quantity and quality of ecosystem services benefiting society. To address this issue and enhance ecosystem services through tiger reserve conservation, it is crucial to understand the adverse impacts of these externalities and consider people's preferences. This study employed a dichotomous choice-contingent valuation method, surveying 372 visitors, to investigate the factors influencing their willingness to pay for improved ecosystem services through the conservation of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve in The Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu. The study findings reveal that 64% of surveyed visitors express concerns about mitigating adverse impacts and are willing to provide financial support for preserving ecosystem services and human well-being. A Logit regression result shows a positive association between respondent education, monthly family income, and environmental awareness with willingness to pay (WTP). Conversely, family size and bid price have a negative impact on the likelihood of WTP. Incorporating these factors into conservation policies can significantly contribute to the sustainability of ecosystem benefits in the MTR and advance its long-term conservation goals. Policy recommendations include measures to enhance ecosystem benefits within the MTR, mitigate human-animal conflicts, and reduce invasive species.