From cognition to economic valuation of cultural ecosystem services – An evidence from Parambikulam tiger reserve, Kerala

The cultural significance of an ecosystem stems from the extensive relationship between nature and the local traditions and beliefs prevalent among the resident communities. This provides an intricate rapport between historical aspects and the maintenance of ecological balance within an ecosystem. Human perception and actions play a key role in the conservation and sustainable management of an ecosystem. Any change in the ecosystem affects the cultural identity and social stability of the resident community. The present study highlights the link between individual cognition and behavior, their conservation value on cultural services, and how this is supported by the economic valuation approach in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PKMTR) of Kerala, India. The study provides evidence of cognitive behavior that contributes to the conservation of an ecosystem by considering both natural (Kannimara teak) and cultural heritage (traditional practices followed by the resident community). The cognitive value of both the Kannimara teak and the cultural heritage from the rituals in the temples, analyzed using qualitative methods, highlights that one’s environmental view plays a key role in influencing general beliefs and behavior, which in turn results in the conservation or degradation of an ecosystem service. The economic value of natural heritage was analyzed using the contingent valuation method. While the mean willingness to pay by the resident communities for natural heritage was found to be Rs 172/household/year, the total value for cultural heritage in PKMTR was estimated at Rs 55,950/year, indicating immense conservation potential for both natural and cultural heritage. The study advocates that combining the cognitive value with the economic value of an ecosystem can act as an initiator for building conservation policy and providing public financial support for conserving the ecosystem.