Social and economic considerations in conserving wetlands of indo-gangetic plains: A case study of Kabartal wetland,India |
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Authors: | Kalpana Ambastha Syed Ainul Hussain Ruchi Badola |
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Institution: | (1) Forest and Ecology Division, National Remote Sensing Agency, Balanagar, Hyderabad, 500 037, India;(2) Wildlife Institute of India, Post Box # 18, Dehra Dun, 248001, India |
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Abstract: | The Kabartal wetland situated in the upper Indo-Gangetic flood plains in northern India is significant because of its hydrological
and ecological services, and the socio-economic and cultural values that it represents. Despite being designated as a wildlife
sanctuary, this wetland is under threat from anthropogenic pressures. As in the case of most wetlands, the reason is incomplete
information on its ecological services and functions, breakdown of traditional management structures and the lack of appropriate
and recognized property rights. Our study assesses the economic linkages between the Kabartal wetland and the local people
living around it, through socio-economic surveys and Contingent Valuation Method (CVM). The major objective of the study was
to determine the importance of this wetland to the local people and to give an indication of the distribution of the benefits
among various stakeholders. The people in the region are poor, have low literacy levels and high dependence on Kabartal and
more than 50% want that the wetland should be drained and the land used for agriculture. However, they are willing to participate
in collaborative management initiatives with the state. The willingness of people to accept compensation, as an alternative
to access to Kabartal wetland, regressed on various socio-economic and attitudinal parameters, gave an estimated mean value
of US $27,500 per household over a period of 60 years. This value is a pointer of the total value of access to Kabartal wetland
to the surrounding villagers and would be useful when decisions to compensate people for lost access to Kabartal are made. |
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Keywords: | Wetlands Gangetic plains Kabartal wetland sanctuary Attitudes Local people Willingness To Accept |
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