ESTIMATION OF LOCAL RECREATIONAL VALUE OF HAKGALA BOTANIC GARDEN

Abstract

The Botanical garden at Hakgala is one of the oldest ex-situ conservation areas in SriLanka. It is a unique environmental asset, nationally as well as globally, due to itsconservation, recreation, historical, cultural, educational and other values.

A study was carried out in the Hakgala botanic garden to estimate its local recreationalvalue. The economic approach used to estimate the recreational value was the travel costmethod. The travel cost approach is a way to value unpriced goods. The surroundingareas were divided into concentric zones of increasing distance, which representedincreasing levels of travel cost. A survey of users was conducted at the Hakgala garden todetermine zone of origin, visitation rates, travel costs, and various socio economiccharacteristics. The data generated were used to regress visitation rates, the total travelcost and urban population fraction of each zone. With respect to multiple trips, the costcomponent was differentiated based on distances to particular destinations traveled.Demand curve based on visitation rates, was constructed using these data to estimate theconsumer surplus, or benefits, from the site.

Estimated minimum total cost experienced by the visitors at the current entrance fee (Rs.20.00) was Rs.6,943,520. When this amount is subtracted from the total consumersurplus (total welfare) of Rs.228,493,714 the estimated consumer surplus is Rs.221,550,194. This figure can be used to demonstrate the contribution of a botanicalgarden to the economy and to attract more funds to develop infrastructural facilitiesinside the garden from the government allocations.