UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR TURTLE CONSERVATION AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF RANTAU ABANG TURTLE SANCTUARY, TERENGGANU

Transcription

1 UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR TURTLE CONSERVATION AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF RANTAU ABANG TURTLE SANCTUARY, TERENGGANU ZAITON SAMDIN FEP

2 WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR TURTLE CONSERVATION AND THE FINANCIAL VIABILITY OF RANTAU ABANG TURTLE SANCTUARY, TERENGGANU By ZAITON SAMDIN Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Universiti Putra Malaysia, in Fulfilment of the Partial Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science March 2002

3 Untuk mak, abah, taufik, ika

4 Abstract of thesis presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in fulfilment of the partial requirement for the degree of Master of Science Willingness to Pay for Turtle Conservation and the Financial Viability of Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary, Terengganu By ZAITON SAMDIN March 2002 Chairman: Associate Professor Khalid Abd Rahim, Ph. D. Faculty: Economics and Management Conservation is an important measure to ensure that the endangered turtles will be able to survive for the benefit of future generations. Cardinal approach i.e. Contingent Valuation Method was used in this study to evaluate the willingness to pay for conservation of turtles in Rantau Abang, Terengganu. The study also estimated the benefits of turtle conservation, evaluated the viability of the existing Turtle Sanctuary and identified the factors that influenced society's willingness to pay for turtle conservation based on a survey of different groups of respondents. Three different groups of respondents i.e. group A (residents), group B (visitors to Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary) and group C (tourists) were classified in this study. Each group consists of a different number of sample sizes i.e. 110 for group A, 100 and 130 for groups B and C respectively. In the estimation of benefits for each group of respondents, the Contingent Valuation Method yielded mean values of RM1 0.02, RM and RM61.93 using the Logit technique. iii

5 It is also found that among the factors that influenced willingness to pay for turtle conservation for groups A and B were bid, monthly income and age. For group C, bid, monthly income and membership in some environmental organisations were the main factors influencing peoples' willingness to pay. The study also evaluated the role of government contribution to the viability of the project. Using RM10 as the ticket price and with the government allocation of RM1 50,000, the financial analysis showed that the Net Present Value (NPV) was RM1,327, However, without government allocation, the NPV was negative RM6, This infers that the government contribution is essential to ensure the viability of the project. In fact, with the current contribution of RM150,000, the ticket price could be reduced to RM5 and the project would still be viable. At this ticket price, the NPV was RM263, A sensitivity analysis showed that the project was still viable even with a 10% decrease in total cash inflow or with a 10% increase in total cash outflow. Further analysis was carried out to determine the amount of government allocation needed for the project to reach break-even point only. At the ticket price of RM10, the amount of government allocation that made the NPV equaled zero was RM per year. At the price of RM5, the amount of government allocation was RM120, per year. iv

6 Abstrak tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai memenuhi sebahagian keperluan untuk ijazah Master Sains Kesanggupan Membayar untuk Pemuliharaan Penyu dan Analisis Kewangan Santuari Penyu Rantau Abang, Terengganu Oleh ZAITON SAMDIN Mac 2002 Pengerusi: Fakulti : Profesor Madya Khalid Abd Rahim, Ph.D Ekonomi dan Pengurusan Pemuliharaan adalah penting bagi memastikan penyu akan terus hidup untuk generasi akan datang. Tujuan kajian ini dijalankan adalah untuk menganggar kesanggupan membayar untuk pemuliharaan penyu di Rantau Abang, Terengganu. Oi sam ping itu, ia juga menganggar faedah daripada pemuliharaan penyu, menilai sarna ada Santuari Penyu yang ada sekarang berdaya maju atau tidak dan mengenalpasti faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kesanggupan membayar untuk pemuliharaan penyu di Rantau Abang, Terengganu berdasarkan kumpulan responden yang berlainan. Tiga kumpulan responden telah diklasifikasikan kepada kumpulan A (penduduk tempatan), kumpulan B (pelawat Santuari Penyu) dan kumpulan C (pelancong). Setiap kumpulan merangkumi bilangan sam pel yang berbeza iaitu 110 untuk kumpulan A manakala 100 dan 130 untuk kumpulan B dan C. Faedah yang dianggarkan dengan adanya pemuliharaan penyu untuk setiap kumpulan berdasarkan Kaedah Penilaian Kontingen adalah RM1 0.02, RM dan RM v

7 Bagi kumpulan A dan B, analisis logit menunjukkan di antara faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kesanggupan membayar adalah bida, pendapatan bulanan dan umur. Sementara itu, bagi kumpulan C, faktor-faktor yang mempengaruhi kesanggupan membayar adalah bida, pendapatan bulanan dan keanggotaan dalam organisasi alam sekitar. Kajian juga menilai peranan peruntukan kerajaan dalam menentukan sam a ada projek ini berdaya maju atau tidak. Dengan menggunakan harga tiket RM10 dan peruntukan kerajaan sebanyak RM1 50,000, analisis kewangan menunjukkan Nilai Kini Bersih (NKB) adalah RM1,327, Namun, tanpa peruntukan kerajaan NKB adalah negatif iaitu RM6, Ini menunjukkan bahawa perlunya peruntukan kerajaan dalam memastikan projek ini berdaya maju. Dengan peruntukan kerajaan sebanyak RM1 50,000 dan harga tiket diturunkan ke RM5, analisis kewangan menunjukkan projek ini masih berdaya maju. Dengan harga tiket ini, NKB adalah RM263, Analisis Kepekaan menunjukkan projek ini masih berdaya maju walaupun dengan penurunan sebanyak 10% dalam aliran tunai masuk atau pun peningkatan 10% dalam aliran tunai keluar. Analisis selanjutnya adalah menentukan amaun peruntukan kerajaan bagi memastikan titik pulang modal bagi projek ini. Dengan harga tiket RM10, amaun peruntukan kerajaan yang diperlukan untuk menjadikan NKB bersamaan dengan sifar adalah RM setahun manakala pada harga tiket RM5 adalah RM1 20, setahun. vi

8 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First of all, praise be to Allah the cherisher and the sustainer of the world, for giving me strengths, will and determination throughout the way in finishing my thesis. I would also like to take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to my supervisor, Associate Professor Dr. Khalid Abdul Rahim. Furthermore, my indebtedness goes to my committee members, En. Kusairi Md. Noh and En. Mohammad Salleh for their assistance and guidance. Special thanks goes to En. Abdul Rahman Kassim and Cik Salini from Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary, Encik Alias Radam, Dr. Tai Shzee Yew, staff of Faculty of Economics and Management (UPM) and the library of Universiti Putra Malaysia. My special appreciation is also extended to my parents, my husband, my daughter, and other family members. Finally thanks to Ella, Nitti, Nina, Juliana, Linda, Melissa, Anne, Ikin, Ida, Kak Yuhanis, Wani, Dahlia, and Nawal for the support, enjoyable and memorable time spent together. vii

9 I certify that an Examination Committee met on 22 nd March 2002 to conduct the final examination of Zaiton Samdin on her Master of Science thesis entitled "Willingness to Pay for Turtle Conservation and the Financial Viability of Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary, Terengganu" in accordance with Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Act 1980 and Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (Higher Degree) Regulation The Committee recommends that the candidate be awarded the relevant degree. Members of the Examination Committee are as follows: Tai Shzee Yew, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management Universiti Putra Malaysia (Chairman) Khalid Abd Rahim, Ph.D. Associate Professor, Faculty of Economics and Management Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Kusairi Mohd. Noh Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Management Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) Mohamad Salleh Lecturer, Faculty of Economics and Management Universiti Putra Malaysia (Member) MADMA:'Ph.D Professor/Deputy Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date: 0 MAY 2002 viii

10 This thesis submitted to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia has been accepted as fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science. AINI IDERIS, Ph.D. Professor/Dean School of Graduate Studies Universiti Putra Malaysia Date : 1 3 JUN 2002 ix

11 DECLARATION I hereby declare that the thesis is based on my original work except for quotations and citations, which have been duly acknowledged. I also declare that it has not been previously or concurrently submitted for any other degree at UPM or other institutions. ZAITON BINTI SAMDIN Date : May 2, 2002 x

12 TABLE OF CONTENTS DEDICATION ABSTRACT ABSTRAK ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS APPROVAL... DECLARATION LIST OF TABLES LIST OF FIGURES LIST OF BOXES LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ii iii v vii viii x xiv xvii xviii xix CHAPTER INTRODUCTION Coastal Setting ,... 1 Tourist Arrival and Receipts ,...,... 2 Impacts of Tourism... 3 Economic Impacts Environmental Impacts ,...'"... 4 Socio-cultural Impacts Tourism and Sustainable Development.....,...,... 6 Status of Major Sea Turtle Populations in Terengganu.. 7 Turtle Conservation in Malaysia Legislation.... Hatchery Programme , Turtle Sanctuary ,..., Conservation - Oriented Research Turtle Conservation in Terengganu.,..., Legislation : Turtle Enactment (Amendment) ,. '"..., Turtle Sanctuary Hatchery Centers Hatchery Programme Problem Statement Objective General Objective Specific Objectives II LITERATURE REViEW Malaysian Sea Turtles Leatherback Turtle Green Turtle ,... '"..., Hawksbill Turtle , Olive-Ridley Turtle Distribution of Malaysian Sea Turtle Biotic Sources of Mortality xi

13 ,,,,, Predation Diseases and Parasites Other Nesting Turtles Vegetation Abiotic Sources of Mortality Erosion, Accretion and Tidal Inundation Heavy Rains Thermal Stress Anthropogenic Sea Turtle Mortality Beach Erosion and Accretion Beach Amoring Beach Nourishment..., Artificial Ught...,......,, Recreational Beach Equipment Beach Vehicles..., Shrimp Trawls Other Trawls..., Dredging ,... Ingestion of Plastics and other Debris Contingent Valuation Method (CVM) CVM Studies Done Locally CVM Studies Done Abroad...,...., Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA) Past Studies on CBA Korup National Park...,......,...,... " Kangaroo Island Khao Yai National Park Discount Rates III METHODOLOGy Location of Study Questionnaire Design...,...,.... Sampling Procedure and Size Conceptual Model and Approach , Descriptive Analysis...,...,...,..., Welfare Economics and Welfare Measurements Contingent Valuation Method Cost Benefit Analysis IV RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Introduction Socio Demographic Profile of Respondents Gender Age Marital Status Nationality Educational Level Type of Profession Monthly Gross Income Membership of Environmental Organisation xii

14 Interest in Travelling Sources of Knowledge about Rantau Abang Reasons for Visiting Rantau Abang Respondents Opinion Identity of Rantau Abang......,,..., Status of Turtles in Rantau Abang Perception of Residents...,...,..., Length of Residency Number of Tourists Conservation of Turtles CVM Model Estimation Distribution of Willingness to Pay for the Proposed Conservation Fee Socio Economic Factors Influencing Willingness to Pay. 76 Monthly Income Age Education Level Membership in Environmental Associations Marital Status Logit Models Estimation Results..., Estimation of Benefits Factors Influencing WTP Financial Analysis Development Cost Operating Expenses Estimated Revenue Financial Returns V SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION Summary Conclusion Limitations of the Study Recommendations for Future Research REFERENCES APPENDICES Appendix A - Questionnaire Appendix B - Estimation of Benefits Appendix C - Factors Influencing WTP Appendix D - Financial Analysis BIODATA OF THE AUTHOR xiii

15 LIST OF TABLES Table Page 1. 1 Tourist Arrival and Receipts, Tourist Arrival and Receipts in Terengganu, Number of Nestings and Eggs in Terengganu by Species, Number of Nestings in Terengganu by Species, Number of Turtle Deaths in Terengganu by Species, Number of Eggs Hatched and Released in Terengganu, Number of Eggs Hatched and Released in Rantau Abang, Terengganu, Visitor Arrivals to Turtle Sanctuary, Rantau Abang, February, Socio Demographic Profile of Respondents Respondents Membership in Environmental Organisations Respondents Interest in Travelling Frequency of Respondents Travelling in a Year Respondents Sources of Knowledge about Rantau Abang Respondents Reasons for Visiting Rantau Abang Respondents Opinion on Identity of Rantau Abang Status of Turtles in Rantau Abang, Terengganu Local Respondents Length of Residency Opinion of Local Respondent on Current Number of Tourists Opinion of Local Respondent on Conservation of Turtles xiv

16 4.12 Opinion of Local Respondent on Positive Impact of Turtle Conservation in Rantau Abang Opinion of Local Respondent on Negative Impact of Turtle Conservation in Rantau Abang Bid and WTP of Respondents.... ; , Income and WTP of Respondents (Group A) Income and WTP of Respondents (Group B) Income and WTP of Respondents (Group C) Age and WTP of Respondents (Group A) Age and WTP of Respondents (Group B) Age and WTP of Respondents (Group C) Education Level and WTP of Respondents (Group A) Education Level and WTP of Respondents (Group B) Education Level and WTP of Respondents (Group C) Membership in Environmental Associations and WTP of Respondents (Group A)..., Membership in Environmental Associations and WTP of Respondents (Group B)..., , , Membership in Environmental Associations and WTP of Respondents (Group C)..., , Marital Status and WTP of Respondents (Group A) Marital Status and WTP of Respondents (Group B) Marital Status and WTP of Respondents (Group C) The Estimated Parameters of the Dichotomous Choice Models for Conservation of Turtles in Rantau Abang, Terengganu Estimated Mean and Median Willingness to Pay for Conservation of Turtles in Rantau Abang, Terengganu Estimated Benefits of Conservation of Turtles in Rantau Abang, Terengganu xv

17 4.33 The Expected Benefits of Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary Based on Median for Logit Analysis Logit Estimation for Groups A, B and C Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 3) Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 1) Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 2) Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 3) Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 4)... ' " Sensitivity Analysis of the Rantau Abang Turtle Sanctuary (Case 5) xvi

18 LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page 1.1 Leatherback turtle nestings in Terengganu State, Four measures of the welfare gain from a price decrease WTP of respondents by conservation fee (group A) WTP of respondents by conservation fee (group 8) WTP of respondents by conservation fee (group C) xvii

19 LIST OF BOXES Box Page 3. 1 Costs and Benefits of the Korup National Park, Ruiteenbeek (1989)..., , , Costs and Benefits of the Kangaroo Island, Touche Ross (1994) , Costs and Benefits of the Khao Yai National Park, Dixon and Sherman (1990)..., , xviii

20 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS WTP CVM CBA NPV IRR BCR Willingness to Pay Contingent Valuation Method Cost Benefit Analysis Net Present Value Internal Rate of Return Benefit Cost Ratio xix

21 CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION Coastal Setting Malaysia lies on the Malay Peninsula (West Malaysia) in tropical Southeast Asia, with Thailand bordering to the north, the Straits of Malacca to the west, the South China Sea to the east, and the island of Singapore to the south. The country also occupies the northern one-third of the island of Borneo (East Malaysia), with Indonesia to the south, the South China Sea to the north, and the Sulu Sea and Celebes Sea to the east. Malaysia has a long coastline. The total length is approximately 4,800 km, with 1,963 km in Peninsular Malaysia, 1,802 km in Sabah and 1,035 km in Sarawak. The status of these coastlines is determined by the influence of the natural forces of sun, wind, rain, storms and waves and the impact of man's activities. The coasts of Malaysia are of vital economic importance. They support the livelihood of thousands of fisherfolks who go out to sea daily and bring in their harvest of 1

22 2 fish, prawns and squids which are essential food for the population. Any damage to the coast, natural or anthropogenic, will have negative implications. Tourist Arrival and Receipts Tourism in Malaysia has become an important industry since 1980's. In 1959, the national government income from tourism industry was only RM 3 million; but since 1990, tourism industry has become one of the main contributors to Malaysian foreign exchange earnings (Tourism Malaysia, 1995). In 1985, income from tourism industry was RM 1.73 billion putting it at sixth place in foreign exchange earnings. While in 1990, the contribution of this industry had increased to RM 4.41 billion and tourism became the third biggest contributor to the foreign exchange earnings. In 1990's, the growth of the tourism industry was quite favourable. Total tourist arrival had reached more than 7 million in 1994, the highest tourist arrival destination in the ASEAN region. Table 1.1 shows tourist arrivals and receipts from 1995 to In 1995, tourism industry was moderate compared to 1994 figure. Tourist arrivals were 7.5 million and total income via tourist receipts were RM billion, a growth of 3.8% and 10.6% respectively (Tourism Malaysia, 1995). Table 1.1 : Tourist Arrival and Receipts, Tourist Arrival (million) Tourist Receipts (RM billion) Sources: Tourism Malaysia, various years

23 3 Tourist arrivals however declined from 6.2 million to 5.6 million from 1997 to 1998 because of the economic crisis. But based on statistics from Tourism Malaysia (1999), tourist arrival increased by 43.8% to 7.9 million while total income via tourist receipts increased to RM billion in In the year 2000, tourist arrivals increased further by 28.9% to 10.2 million while tourists receipts increased to RM 17.3 billion (Tourism Malaysia, 2000). From January to March 2001, tourists arrivals were 4.9 million compared to 3.2 million in the same period in 2000, an increase of 54.3% (Tourism Malaysia, 2001). Table 1.2 shows tourist arrivals in Terengganu from 1995 to It shows that both the domestic and foreign tourists have been increasing year by year. The highest tourist arrivals were in 1997, i.e. 1.6 million domestic and 2.3 million foreign tourists. Similar to national trend, tourist arrivals declined from 1997 to 1998 due to economic crisis from 1.6 million to 0.9 million for domestic tourists while 2.3 million to 0.1 million for foreign tourist due to the economic crisis. Table 1.2 : Tourist Arrival in Terengganu, Domestic Tourist (million) Foreign Tourist (million) Sources: Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Terengganu, 2001 Impacts of Tourism In order to develop and manage tourism industry successfully in the country, consideration of economic, environmental and socio-cultural impacts must be well

24 4 understood. The concept of sustainable development will be achieved if economic, environmental and socio-cultural impact are weighed together. Economic Impacts Possible economic impacts of tourism are: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) Income generated and its contribution to Gross National or Domestic Product Foreign exchange from international tourism Generation of local employment through direct and indirect employment As a catalyst for other economic activities using tourist expenditure Contribution to government revenues e.g. airport departure taxes Tourism will generate some economic problems if not properly controlled. High imports on goods and services used in tourism and tourist facilities owned and managed by outsiders will cause economic losses. To enhance the economic benefits of tourism, linkages between tourism and other economic sectors should be strengthened. It can be achieved through the reduction in import content of tourism and by using more employment of local resources. Tourist expenditure and tourist activities also will enhance economic benefits. Tourist expenditure will be increased through the provision of more shopping opportunities especially local crafts and arts. Expansion in tourist activities such as organising more attraction and tours will influence tourists to stay longer. Environmental Impacts Tourism can generate both positive and negative impacts to the environment. The relationship of tourism and environment is one of inter-dependence because the environment provides resources which form the major attraction for tourists. And a sustainable tourism will enhance environmental protection.

25 5 Positive environmental impacts can be generated if tourism is well planned, developed and managed. These positive impacts include: (a) conservation of wildlife and natural areas including marine environments, national parks and reserved parks (b) conservation of archaeological and historic sites (c) improvement of environmental quality Without proper planning, development and management, tourism can generate negative environmental impacts such as: (a) water pollution e.g. sewage and solid waste disposal for hotels (b) air pollution e.g. cars and buses ( c) noise pollution (d) visual pollution e.g. poorly designed hotels and other tourist facilities (e) waste disposal problems by tourist e.g. littering (f) overuse and misuse of natural areas by tourist which will affect ecological discruption. Socio-cultural lmpacts Tourism can bring both benefits and problems to the local societies. These impacts can be critical especially in the country where the traditional culture holds strongly. tourism are: Positive socio-cultural impacts from well planned, developed and managed (a) (b) improvement of living standards of people conservation of the cultural heritage