Determining the Recreational Value of Nour Forest Park (NFP) in Mazandaran, Using Contingent Valuation

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Abstract

Abstract
Amusement programming, accomplishing ecological and/or environmental plans, in addition to establishing recreational centers, are of the important issues in regional and large-scale management of each country. Herein, lack of financial resources to establish amusement areas, has led the natural resource management system to valuate such resources based upon new scientific methods. Measuring the willingness to pay (WTP) indicator in an amusement site, is one of the above-mentioned scientific methods. Using the Contingent Valuation Method (CV) and dichotomous questionnaires, the willingness to pay indicator was measured in Noor sylvatic park. Herein, the Lajit model is also applied and according to Maximum Likelihood Estimation (MLE), indexes are evaluated. Results indicate that the average willingness to pay (WTP) indicator for the users in Noor sylvatic park was 3875 Rials per visit. Meanwhile, the estimated annual promenade value of the park shows the importance of the park considering the visitors` point of view.

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