ASSESSMENT OF RECREATIONAL FUNCTION OF FORESTS APPLYING CONTINGENT VALUATION METHOD

Abstract

The article considers the method of conditional evaluation, which is used in assessing the recreational function of the forest on the case of State National Nature Park ―Burabay‖ which is located on the Northern Kazakhstan. The purpose of the study is to assess the economic value of the park, which is not only the ratio of the park's budget for its construction, the popularity of the park and the impact on financial performance. The value generated by a natural park can be determined using a range of social, economic, cultural and other indicators. The Contingent Valuation Method is a technique of assessment, which consists in determining the respondents' preferences by questionnaire to analyze the values and preferences of people, which are usually expressed in the form of willingness to pay for a certain result. This method is the only way to assess unused values, when people do not show their willingness to pay their behavior or purchase appropriate purchases. The questionnaires were distributed in different seasons among 200 respondents who were introduced with the goal of the conducted research. Results indicated that the variables such as proposed entrance fee, monthly income, non-governmental organization membership, moralizing view on the environment and natural resources as well as length of stay have significant effects on willingness to pay for the recreational use of the study area.