Economic valuation of Mabira forest: A contingent valuation method

Abstract

This study applied the Contingent Valuation Method in estimating the economic valuation of Mabira forest by determining the Willingness to pay for the forest goods/services. The main objective of the study was to estimate the economic value of Mabira forest goods/services. The study used households in Namulaba area because it was a highly degraded area in Mabira forest. The three villages (Ntunda, Namulaba and Kateete) were purposively sampled because they were bordering the forest and highly degraded. Finally systematic random sampling procedure was used in selecting 50 households from each village making a total of 150 households studied. The value–elicitation format used was payment card format and open-ended follow-up question. The Mean WTP calculation was as per Kristom (1990) and Kateregga (2009). The sample average WTP was 2,580/= and sample average median WTP was 2,130 /= at 50%. Therefore, the Aggregate WTP for goods/services from Mabira forest was Ug. Shs 7,804,500/= (Seven Million, eight hundred four thousand, five hundred Ugandan shillings only) equivalent to US 3,121.8 monthly that is approximated to be the monetary value of Mabira forest. Tobit model with sample selection was estimated in determining the factors influencing the WTP for the goods and services from Mabira forest. The findings show that household size, distance of the household from the forest, income of the household head, and occupation of the household head significantly influenced the WTP. This study is recognizant of the value of the forest to Ugandans and Internationals; hence the study recommended that Mabira Forest must be conserved in order to maintain the benefits. In addition, while conserving the forests, NFA should target large households because large households harvest more forest products compared to households with few members.