Estimating the Preservation value of Sari Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge Using Contingent Valuation Method

Despite existing criticisms of attaching a price tag on nature, environmental economists assert the necessity of valuating environment and warn against negative impact of ignoring its value. The purpose of this study is to calculate economic value of Sari Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge and preservation value of Iranian Fallow Deer in danger of extinction based on individual willingness to pay method using contingent valuation and dichotomous choice to learn about public opinion on importance of environment and biological diversity. Logit model is used to measure individual willingness to pay and the model parameters is estimated using Maximum Likelihood. We found that 40% of peaple who the study is about them are willing to pay for preservation of Sari Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge. The average amount is 84,635 Rls for every employed person. It is now possible to visit the Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge with the authorization of Department of Environment. Hence, providing for tourism use of the Refuge may generate revenue to promote preservation of the area and worthy Persian Fallow Deer.