Valuation of protected area restoration: Contingent valuation approach

Protected areas are essential for conserving biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem services, yet they face growing threats from habitat fragmentation, human encroachment, and limited funding. This study investigates community willingness to support conservation in Kafta-Sheraro National Park through financial or labor contributions, aiming to address these challenges and uncover factors influencing participation. Surveying 384 local residents, the study reveals widespread concern over habitat degradation caused by agricultural expansion, illegal logging, and overgrazing. Majority of respondents (88.8 %) supported the proposed conservation plan, with 72.43 % preferring to contribute labor and 27.57 % opting for monetary support. Using probit and biprobit models the study identified key determinants of payment vehicle preference and amount of contribution. Ethnicity and residence condition, living conditions, livestock ownership, and income from forest resources are factors influencing decision. Prior conflicts related to conservation efforts negatively impacted willingness to participate. Households favoring monetary contributions were willing to pay an average of 1362.24 birr annually (approximately US$40.40), while those preferring labor offered 30 days per year. When extrapolated across kebeles (lower administrative unit) bordering the park, total annual contributions amounted to 5,632,519 birr (US$166,988.41) and 325,929 labor days—equivalent to 88,000,830 birr (US$2,608,978.06). The study recommends a more inclusive conservation strategy that legally integrates community roles in park governance. This includes mandated involvement in patrols, infrastructure maintenance, faire control activities, decision-making, and financial support. Such measures are vital for ensuring the long-term sustainability of protected areas and fostering sense of shared responsibility among local communities. • 88.8 % of locals support for conservation of the Park. • 72.43 % of participants prefer labor contributions over monetary support. • Habitat loss blamed on farming, illegal logging, and uncontrolled grazing. • Ethnicity, residence, and forest income shaped payment vehicle preferences. • Community pledged 325,929 labor days and over 5.6 million birr annually.