Preference Heterogeneity of Local Participation in Coupling Conservation and Community-Based Entrepreneurship Development

Abstract

The aims of conservation and economic prosperity for people living near protected areas have rapidly acquired prominence as a viable strategy for global biodiversity protection. To identify potential local enterprise improvement, we examine how rural communities adopt integrated conservation and development programs. Choice experiments are used to establish villagers’ preferences for conservation incentives. The incentive structure as well as attitudes regarding ecosystem services are being investigated. The latent class technique was used to estimate preference parameters, which resulted in two segments that accounted for villager heterogeneity. These segments were discovered through program restrictions, each with different resource usage, time spent, and compensation. Members of the more restrictive program desire a higher reward for participation in one program over another. Attitudes toward provisioning and regulating ecosystem services influence their engagement. The findings show that the younger generation is open to less restrictive programs and sharing resources to boost community enterprises. They are prepared to forego a few hours of farming in exchange for conservation actions. Programs that allow for flexibility in conservation regulations and other program features may be the most effective way to encourage more people to participate in conservation programs while also satisfying community goals.