An Application Of The Contingent Valuation Method: The Case Of One Horned Rhinos Of Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Abstract

Kaziranga National Park (KNP) is a habitat of the one-horned Indian rhinos. About ninety percent of the total population of one-horned rhinos is found in KNP and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary of Assam. Poaching of wild animals especially rhinos has been a great challenge to the authority of KNP and it is continuously going on because of superstitious beliefs of people regarding aphrodisiac and medicinal value of rhino’s horn and these are sold in the black international market at a very high rate. But, most of the tourists visiting the park for viewing this unique endangered wild animal have an escalating influence on economic value of the park. In the present study, influence of the one-horned rhinos on economic value of KNP is estimated by using dichotomous choice of contingent valuation method. In the present study, primary data is used to estimate economic value of the park and 300 visitors are interviewed randomly using a structured schedule with a single respondent from each group or family chosen in the sample. The study found that economic value of KNP will be reduced by INR 2.63 million, if the Government fails to conserve this unique wild animal of the national park and it also reflects the existence value of rhinos of the park. So, the Government should take various scientific steps towards the protection and conservation of one-horned rhinos of the national park to sustain eco-tourism in KNP.