Preserving paradise: Unveiling visitor’s pledge to protect Karnataka’s ecosystem

Abstract

Over the past few decades, the Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru districts of Karnataka have witnessed significant resource exploitation and ecosystem degradation, leading to heightened instances of landslides and erosion. This deterioration is largely attributed to excessive human intervention, with agro-ecotourism emerging as a notable contributor to the problem. In response, our study aimed to assess the willingness of visitors to agro-ecotourism units in these districts to contribute financially towards ecosystem protection. Employing the contingent valuation method, we analyzed the willingness to pay among a sample of 40 visitors, utilizing primary data collected for the study. Our findings indicated that income of the visitor, employment status and age of the visitors were key factors influencing visitors' readiness to invest in ecosystem conservation efforts. By shedding light on these determinants, our research contributed to a deeper understanding of visitor behavior in ecologically sensitive areas, providing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to develop effective strategies for environmental protection and sustainable tourism management. Ultimately, our study underscored the importance of fostering visitor engagement and support for conservation initiatives to address the pressing environmental challenges facing these regions.