Estimated conservation value of protected area with contingent valuation method (CVM) and Analytic hierarchy process (AHP)

Mishdagh protected area is located in Khuzestan province. Due to the value and importance of this region and the Iranian deer species protected in this region, as well as the biodiversity of the region, which contains a rich genetic source, has so far Valuation work has not been done for it. Due to its protective importance, the purpose of this study was to estimate the conservation value of protected area using conditional valuation and hierarchical analysis methods.

The conditional valuation method was used to estimate the conservation value of the area. Data were collected through questionnaires filled out by 136 people. The role and contribution of each individual, social and economic factor and the willingness to pay respondents based on the Logit model were estimated and then, with the aid of a hierarchical analysis, prioritizing the indirect, direct, indirect, value, direct and indirect values ​​of the value of the area and heritage value Depending on the degree of importance they took.

The average willingness to pay for the protection of the area was 73230 rials per visitor and the total protective value was determined to be 7432845000 rials. The results of hierarchical analysis showed that the legacy value of the region in the first rank and then the existential value, optional value, indirect value of use and direct consumption value are in the next rank.

The results showed that increasing the level of education, household income and awareness of the visitors increases their willingness to pay. The level of awareness of visitors and tourists from the protected area was low. Because only 5% of the people already knew the sample of the information provided about the area, this indicates that there should be enough information to identify the area to be made available to the public.