WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES IN SANTUBONG NATIONAL PARK

Abstract

Gunung Santubong National Park (GSNP) is one of the attractions in Sarawak that needs attention for conservation. A contingent valuation method of survey was conducted to estimate the conservation value of GSNP and to elicit the willingness to pay among respondents. Through the random survey, the estimated mean of willingness to pay for conservation fee per respondent was RM8.41. With the number of visitors of 24066 in year 2016, it is estimated that there is an additional RM 202,395.06 that could be used for the improvement in environmental conservation. This study shows that contingent valuation method is a useful tool to guide decision makers in policy purposes of natural resources management of protected area in developing countries.