Although based on proximity and the type of relationship local residents
and tourist develop with protected areas, it has been assumed that there are
certain differences in attitudes, perceptions and willingness to pay to support
heritage conservation, no research has been investigating both viewpoints
toward a protected area. As far as the researcher knows, no research has
investigated both viewpoints about a protected area. This research not only
confirms differences between local residents and tourists but also help to gain
insight into the extent of the differences between the two categories by
identifying the proximate causes and driving forces behind existing attitudes,
perceptions and willingness to pay.
The results of this
research regarding knowledge and awareness levels, attitudes and perceptions
and willingness to pay to support conservation within Ram Nagar town, reinforce
the significant of local. Although both local residents and tourists
appear to have the similar levels of knowledge of the importance of the protected
area, their overall attitudes toward
Ram Nagar
archaeological sites are strikingly different. Tourists have significantly more
positive attitudes and would be more willing to pay to support conservation
efforts within the protected area when compared with local residents. Existing
attitudes toward Ramnagar archaeological sites are strongly influenced by an
individual's awareness of the importance of the protected area and by their
overall concern with issues.
Although both
categories queried are aware that the main purpose of Ramnagar archaeological
sites or heritage site is conservation, awareness and concern levels
are significantly local residents. Overall tourists are more concerned with
cultural issues than local residents, and thus are more aware of the importance
of Ram Nagar heritage in conservation. This translates into more
positive attitudes from tourists toward Ram Nagar archaeological in terms of
satisfaction levels with the existence of the protected area and to develop
archaeological sites as a tourism product.
In addition to
awareness and concern levels, the results of this research showed that the
perceived level of benefits to the area from the existence of Ram Nagar
heritage perceived by local residents has a considerable impact on overall
attitudes. Considering that local residents have a more realistic perception of
the benefits to the area than tourists and their livelihood is directly
impacted by the existence - or lack thereof- of benefits, the considerably low
level of perceived benefits has contributed to unfavourable views regarding
Ramnagar. Although perceived benefits by tourists to the area from the
existence of the protected area are low as well, this did not alter their
overall views of heritage as their livelihoods are not impacted by any aspects
of the local environment. Results showed that differences between local
residents and tourists are very substantial regarding an individual's
willingness to pay to support conservation within Ramnagar archaeological
sites. These results support this research, that local residents are
significantly less in their willingness to pay to support conservation efforts
than tourists. In addition to the age and income variables, the fact that
currently local residents are exempt of paying entrance fees to Ram Nagar and
that there are no financial compensations or incentives to stimulate local
support for conservation, might have influenced local respondents in
manifesting resistance toward financially supporting conservation in Ram Nagar.
While support from local residents is low, the majority of tourists seemed to
be in favour of paying significantly higher entrance fees to support
conservation. Although the consensus of previous economic valuations based on
such welfare measures such as the willingness to pay is that respondents have
the tendency to overstate these hypothetical amounts, increasing the entrance
fee to a much lower amount than the one suggested by both respondent groups
would still generate significantly higher revenue than the current entrance
fee.
Local residents have
the advantage of being located within close proximity to Ram Nagar heritage and
thus have the potential to develop a stronger relationship with the protected
area than tourists do, but this does not translate into having more positive
attitudes
and showing greater
support for conservation.
On the contrary, due
to their proximity their relationship with the protected area is mainly driven
by ownership rights or direct benefits from relying on natural resources
located on land areas included in the territory Ram Nagar heritage.
Restrictions
imposed on local residents and the lack of financial compensations or
incentives to encourage local's support for conservation has significantly
impacted their overall view of the protected area. Improving overall views of
the protected area as well as increasing conservation effectiveness may be
attained by including attitudes, perceptions and for ASI in future conservation
policies. Although significant of local residents do exist in terms of their
attitudes and ASI’s, taking into consideration their different viewpoints may
generate potential benefits to the protected area and increase its
effectiveness in conservation.
The results of this
research suggest that involving local residents in the management of the
protected area and providing financial compensations and incentives has the
potential to increase social support for conservation and increase conservation
effectiveness.
In addition,
including tourist’s financial support and optimizing entrance fees according to
their willingness to pay for supporting conservation, would generate
significantly more revenue for Ramnagar heritage, thus increasing the protected
area's possibilities of becoming financially sustainable.
Written By: Chander Bhushan
