Willingness to Pay for forest corridor conservation: A contingent valuation study of Similipal-Satkosia corridor affected by mining in Odisha, India

Abstract

The forest corridor connecting the Similipal and Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha, India is vital for several wide-ranging animals and the sustenance of a unique lineage of tigers in the landscape. However, this corridor is fragmented in its status quo with mining, road, and rail networks, along with heavy human dependency on the forest. Highlighting the non-use value of ecological goods like forest corridor can support the conservation of the ecosystem against developmental activities. We determine the local communities' willingness to pay (WTP) for the conservation and management of the Similipal-Satkosia corridor using the Contingent Valuation Method. A total of 340 households in 44 villages located within the peripheral development zone of mines were surveyed between January 2020 and March 2021. Double Bounded Dichotomous Choice (DBDC) technique was used to elicit maximum WTP, and spike modelling was employed due to the prevalence of zero WTP in the surveyed responses. The estimated mean willingness to pay for the conservation of the Similipal-Satkosia corridor was ₹ 28.2/household/month (USD 0.37) (without covariates) at a 1 % significant level. WTP was significantly associated with the respondents' higher education level and the household's further distance from the mine. Our study is expected to facilitate policymakers in developing effective forest management and conservation strategies while adhering to sustainable development goals.