Quantification of Direct and Indirect Recreation Benefits of Melghat Forests

The present study attempts to compare recreation benefits by direct and indirect methods. The number of tourist inflow was found increasing over the period of time. After analyzing tourist trend over the years in Melghat, it was reported that number of tourists is increasing over the years. The directrevenue as per departments record was Rs.1.23 crores through various sources like tourists and vehicle entry fee, camera/video charges, safari, accommodation etc. But value of eco-tourism benefitby Travel Cost Method-TCM with benefit transfer was found Rs. 30.94 crores, which was higher than direct method. The recreation value has scope to improve through management interventions.