Recreational Value of Vembanad Lake in Kerala Using Individual Travel Cost Method

Abstract

The Vembanadlake is the longest lake in India and also the largest wetland ecosystem in Kerala recognized as a Ramsarwetland site. The lake meanders through three districts of the state, Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam. It has been a source of livelihood to the population living alongside the wetland ecosystem. The economic activity carried in and around the backwater includes fishing, shrimp farming, clam picking, rice cultivation, duck rearing and livelihoods related to recreation like etc. Backwater tourism is a major revenue generation activity for the community by means of house boats, motor boats, shikara boat, speed boat etc. Around 1480 boats were operational in the Vembanadlake which are registered under the Department of Ports, Government of Kerala. The increase in boats is due to increase in the arrival of both foreign and domestic tourists, the increase of which over the past decade has risen by 11.69% and 7.07% respectively. In the year 2018, foreign and domestic tourists who visited the Vembanad in the three districts (Alappuzha, Ernakulum and Kottayam) was approximately 0.63 and 4.48 million respectively. This paper aimed at measuring the recreation benefits obtained by tourists visiting the Vembanadlake (and the wetland ecosystem) using travel cost approach. The model considers number of visit made by the individual per annum as the dependent variable is and several independent variables such as cost of travel, family income, age, family size, time spent and quality of the backwater. The analysis was carried out using trip generating function. The results reveal that, the total recreational value of Vembanad backwater was 363 billion INR. The potential value of the ecosystem necessitates sustainable management and conservation of the lake and the backwater ecosystem, which is being affected by increasing pollution as a result of, ironically, increasing tourist activities.