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Economic-Recreational Valuation of the Helen Forest Protected Area in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province
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Zohreh Khalili Ardali *   , Hamid Amirnejad2 , Soleiman Mohammadi Limaei3 , Sadegh Salehi4 |
Ph.D. Candidate in Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Gilan, Iran., Ph.D. Candidate in Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Gilan, Iran. , Khalilizohreh70@gmail.com
2- Department of Agricultural Economics, Sari Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University, Sari, Iran
3- Department of Forestry, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmeh Sara, Gilan, Iran
4- Associate Professor, Department of Sociology of Development, Faculty of Humanities and SocialSciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran |
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Abstract: (345 Views) |
To express the role and importance of the environment and convert it into monetary value, these resources need to be valued using appropriate methods. This study aims to determine the recreational value and visitors' willingness to pay for the Zagros forest in the Helen Forest protected area of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari provinces using the contingent valuation method and a double-bounded dichotomous choice questionnaire. First, the sample size was determined based on Cochran's method, and data were collected through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The Logit model was used to estimate individual willingness to pay, with parameters estimated using the maximum likelihood method. The results showed that 83.04% of visitors are willing to pay for recreational use of the forest area. The Logit model results indicated that variables such as the proposed bid amount, number of visits, environmental statement, age, sex, education, income, residence, and travel duration are the most important factors affecting the probability of accepting the proposed amount. Furthermore, the annual recreational value of the entire Helen forest area was estimated at 16,430,459,992 rials. These results demonstrate the potential for expanding recreational services, which may lead to increased economic, social, and cultural development. Therefore, it is suggested that policymakers allocate appropriate budgets for the protection and development of this natural heritage.
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Article number: 4 |
| Keywords: Contingent valuation, Double-bounded Dichotomous Choice, Logit model, Zagros forest |
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Full-Text [PDF 1784 kb]
(80 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2024/01/5 | Accepted: 2024/05/13 | Published: 2025/04/22
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