Willingness to pay for restoration of natural ecosystem: a study of Sundarban mangroves by contingent valuation approach.

Abstract

The article examines the willingness of people of Sundarban to pay for restoration of natural ecosystem using contingent valuation approach. Most of the people depend on Sundarban ecosystem for their livelihood and sustenance through fishing, collection of honey and fuelwood/timber. It is an example of a community living in a balance with surrounding mangrove forest, upon which it depends for subsistence and livelihoods. Stratified random sampling method was used which involves dividing the whole population into homogeneous sub-groups and then taking a simple random sample in each sub-group. The sub-groups were made on the basis of their occupational status. The sample residents of Gosaba islands aged 18 and above were interviewed. The data collection of the sub-group fisherman and agriculturist were covered by visiting individual households and group discussion. For traders and other sub-groups the data was collected from markets and haats.