Contingent valuation approach - a case study of the Kayas (indigenous sacred forests) in Kwale vis-a-vis the titanium mining project

Abstract

This paper examines the strength of cultural practices in conservation. In this particular case, we use the Contingent Valuation Method to examine the willingness of the Digo and the Mijikenda people to pay in preserving the Kayas (Indigenous sacred forests). The Kayas in Kwale District are threatened with extinction by the Titanium mining project. We explore the factors that influence the people of Kwale in deciding whether they want to keep the Kaya forests by forfeiting a mining project that has enormous economic potential, using the community's WTP to conserve the forests. The main findings of the study are that the local community at Kwale is willing to pay (average) Kshs.283 a month to preserve the Kaya forests and that willingness is influenced by attitude towards the Kayas; age of the people; level of education; availability of substitutes; gender; the Tiomin Resources Inc; and, Government policies on land and mining. The average monthly WTP translates to Kshs.452,800,000 a month when aggregated across the total Coastal Mijikenda population estimated at 1,600,000 individuals. In order to preserve the Kaya forests and ensure sustainable utilization of natural resources within the Kaya areas, we recommend the reintroduction of collaborative frame-works amongst all stakeholders around issues of environmental conservation and the use of environmental resources.