The Economic Values of Gunung Halimun National Park and its Utilization for the Local People.

Abstract

Gunung Halimun National Park (GHNP) has enormous benefit for people. Through the economic valuation, this research found out that the total economic value (TEV) was Rp 439.75 billion per year, consisting of carbon sink value (97.73%), water value for domestic and agriculture uses (1.51 %), ecotourism value (0.29%), option value (0.17%), preservation value (1.51 %), and existence value (0.15%). If the carbon sink value is excluded, the TEV reachs Rp 9.57 billion, with the highest of the water value (66.58%), followed by ecotourism value (12.70%). Considering the budget for the park management in 2002 was about Rp 2 billion, conservation activities was proven to be very supportive to the economic development, even considered as efficient in a business term. The socio - economic level of the local community (93.34% farmers) was very low, a monthly income only Rp 93,210, education level of 93.18% elementary school or lower. The poor of their social and economic caused the negative attitude of the local people (e.g. illegal logging, encroachment, and illegal mining) which threat the sustainability of the park. The dominant factors for the utilization (for ecotourism, research, and education) based on SWOT analysis were promotion of the program utilization, maintenance of the facilities and equipment of the park, improvement of the institution collaboration, and improvement of the capacity building of GHNP organization.