Do forest ecological services matter to the poor and should they be considered in development planning: facts from Pakistan-administered Kashmir

This Choice Experiment (CE) study investigated households’ perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP) for forest ecological services and their implications for sustainable management in Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Among the 400 households surveyed, more than half were poor, relying heavily on forests for essential needs such as fuel-wood, recreation and livestock grazing. Most households acknowledged the vital role of forest ecological services in sustaining the region’s socio-ecological resilience. Regression analyses, based on CE survey data, showed strong household preferences and WTP to pay for enhanced forest services, such as recreational amenities, flood control, soil conservation, climate regulation and wildlife protection. Benefit-cost analyses of enhancement plans confirmed their economic feasibility. Additionally, 93% of respondents expressed their WTP for such programs, demonstrating high social acceptability. Notably, low-income households preferred to contribute labor as a form of payment. Based on these findings, the study suggests that local authorities must allocate funds to enhance forest ecological services. Implementing incentive mechanisms, like payment for ecosystem services, can promote sustainable forest management practices. Furthermore, promoting inclusive stakeholder engagement, capacity building and equitable benefit-sharing within policies can strengthen socio-ecological resilience to climate change.