Recreational Value of Wetland Ecosystem: Evidence from Harike, Punjab

The valuation of wetland ecosystems plays a vital role in understanding their economic significance and the potential benefits they offer to the society. Wetlands are distinctive ecosystems that offer a wide range of ecological services, including habitat preservation, flood control, and water filtration. Evaluation of the value of wetlands may contribute in a major way to the decision-making processes regarding conservation and management strategies. By employing the Travel Cost Method (TCM), this study aims to determine the economic worth associated with recreational activities in Harike Wetland in Punjab, India which contribute towards a better understanding of its true worth and thus helps in facilitating the sustainable management practices of this important wetland ecosystem. The recreational value of wetland was evaluated empirically, and its affecting characteristics were identified using the Poisson regression model. The study results indicate that the anticipated total annual recreational value of the Harike Wetland amounts to about 10.04 crore rupees per annum.