Assessment of health and economic benefits of walking in the Republic of North Macedonia using Health Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT)

Walking as a form of physical activity has immense health benefits, but it also has economic benefits. Walking is a very efficient activity that prevents certain diseases and enables better quality of life of people who already have some disease.A considerable contribution of walking is detected in cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity and chronic pulmonary diseases.The aim of this study was to make a health and economic assessment of the benefits of walking in the Republic of North Macedonia by using the Health and Economic Assessment Tool (HEAT).Materials and methods:Health Economic Assessment Tool is a relatively new tool, developed by WHO experts whose expertise is in the field of Public health and is able to calculate the health effects of regular walking and/or cycling. This study was based on using this tool for walking mode for the first time in the Republic of North Macedonia in a population group of 191 participants between the age of 20 to 73 years, with the average age of 35 years.Results:Besides the aforementioned health benefits, HEAT calculates the economic benefits of walking. The tool applied to 191 participants resulted in a total economic value of 108 808.8€ for one yearas well as reduction in mortality rate. Conclusion: We found that less than one fifth of our assessed population spends time in walking according to the WHO, CDC and AHA recommendations. The rest of them, more than four fifths are not following these recommendations. Our assessed population was relatively young, the average age being 35 years old, and the population was healthy, but still the results from this survey were not satisfying.

VALUASI EKONOMI EKOSISTEM TERUMBU KARANG PULAU WARBAL DI KAWASAN KONSERVASI KEI KECIL KABUPATEN MALUKU TENGGARA

Economic valuation plays an important role as a comprehensive instrument to assess prices (price tags) on the existence of goods and services of an ecosystem. This research aims to analyze utilization conditions including utilization value, non-utilization value and total economic value of coral reef resources and formulate a strategy for managing the reef ecosystem of Warbal Island and surrounding waters. The research on the economic valuation of warbal island coral reef ecosystem and surrounding waters was conducted in July-November 2019. Primary data collection was done through field observations and interviews, while secondary data was obtained through references from the Village Government, Southeast Maluku Fisheries Service, WWF Indonesia and scientific publications. Data was analyzed using methods of analysis of total economic value from use valueand non-use value. Based on the results of the study obtained the total economic value of the utilization and non-utilization of coral reef resources in Warbal Island and surrounding waters reached IDR. 7.275.603.819/year. The value of utilization of coral reef resources of Warbal Island and surrounding waters amounted to IDR. 7.257.318.819/year, while the non-utilization value of coral reef resources amounted to IDR. 18.250.000/year. At least, there are 11 strategies and 22 management directives recommended for the management of Warbal Island coral reef resources and surrounding waters. ABSTRAK Valuasi ekonomi berperan penting sebagai instrument yang komperhensif untuk memberi penilaian harga (price tag) terhadap keberadaan barang dan jasa suatu ekosistem. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menganalisisnilai pemanfaatan, nilai non pemanfaatan dan nilai ekonomi total sumberdaya terumbu karang serta merumuskan strategi pengelolaan ekosistem terumbu kawasan Pulau Warbal dan perairan sekitarnya. Penelitian tentang valuasi ekonomi ekosistem terumbu karang Pulau Warbal dan perairan sekitarnya dilakukan pada Juli-Nopember 2019. Pengumpulan data primer dilakukan melalui pengamatan lapangan dan wawancara, sedangkan data sekunder diperoleh melalui referensi dari Pemerintah Desa, Dinas Perikanan Maluku Tenggara, WWF Indonesia dan publikasi ilmiah. Data dianalisis menggunakan metode analisis nilai ekonomi total dari use value dan non use value. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh nilai ekonomi total dari pemanfaatan dan non pemanfaatan sumberdaya terumbu karang kawasan Pulau Warbal dan perairan sekitarnya mencapai Rp. 7.275.603.819/tahun. Nilai pemanfaatan sumberdaya terumbu karang Pulau Warbal dan perairan di sekitarnya sebesar Rp. 7.257.318.819/tahun, sedangkan nilai non pemanfaatan sumberdaya terumbu karang sebesar Rp. 18.250.000/tahun. Terdapat 11 strategi dan 22 arahan pengelolaan yang direkomendasikan untuk pengelolaan sumberdaya terumbu karang Pulau Warbal dan perairan di sekitarnya. Kata kunci: valuasi ekonomi, ekonomi total, nilai pemanfaatan, terumbu karang, Maluku Tenggara

Optimal water allocation based on agricultural and environmental water value

Despite the significant role of wetlands in maintaining a healthy ecosystem and providing various ecosystem services, they are under threat due to human activities and agriculture use. The fact that the economic value of ecosystem services is not considered in hydro-economic models and integrated water resources management is a key issue that affects the ecosystem and its degradation. the economic value of ecosystem services provides a quantitative and important basis for the reasonable management of water resources. Given that supplying the agriculture and environmental demands conflict with each other, achieving a balance between these goals is very important. So, in this study, a simulation-optimization (WEAP-PSO) approach is employed for optimal planning at the basin and designing environmental flow based on wetland ecosystem services. The objective function of the problem is considered to be the total economic value of the river, which includes the economic value of the agricultural sector and the economic value of the wetland ecosystem services. The decision variables of the problem are considered as, the cultivation area of agricultural units and environmental flow of Kani Barazan wetland. The results show that considering these two objectives together, in addition to sustainable development, causes the highest economic efficiency in the basin.

Would Kazakh Citizens Support a Milk Co-Operative System?

We estimate the monetary value of a policy aimed at increasing rural co-operative production in Kazakhstan to increase milk production. We analyse the drivers associated with public support for such policy using the contingent valuation method. The role of individuals’ psychological aspects, based on the reasoned action approach, along with individuals’ views on the country’s past regime (i.e., to the former Soviet Union), their awareness about the governmental policy, their sociodemographic characteristics, and household location on their willingness to pay (WTP) for the policy is analysed using an interval regression model. Additionally, we examine changes in individuals’ WTP before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The estimated total economic value of the policy is KZT 1335 bn for the length of the program at KZT 267 bn per year, which is approximately half the total program budget, which includes other interventions beyond the creation of production co-operatives. The total economic value of the policy would equal the cost of the whole program after 10 years, indicating public support for this policy amongst Kazakh citizens. Psychological factors, i.e., attitude, perceived social pressure, and perceived behavioural control, and the respondents’ awareness of the policy and views on the Soviet Union regime are associated with their WTP. Sociodemographic factors, namely, age, income, and education, are also statistically significant. Finally, the effect of the shocks of COVID-19 is negatively associated with the respondents’ WTP.

The Economic Valuation of Marjoly Beach and Resort Tour with Travel Cost Method (Travel Cost Method) Bintan District, Riau Islands Province

This research was conducted at Marjoly Beach and Resort, Bintan Regency, Riau Islands Province. This study aims to describe the accommodation and entertainment as well as the socio-economic characteristics of visitors to Marjoly Beach and Resort, to analyze the factors that influence tourist visits to Marjoly Beach and Resort, to analyze the amount of economic value obtained by Marjoly Beach and Resort by accidental sampling with a total of 30 respondents. . The data needed in this research include primary and secondary data. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and multiple linear regression and from consumer surplus using the travel cost method. Respondents are determined using the travel cost method approach by estimating the economic value seen from the consumer surplus. The results showed that the total travel costs incurred by all visitors as respondents were around Rp. 38,035,000. Factors that influence tourist visits to Marjoly Beach and Resort are travel costs, income and age. The consumer surplus value obtained from the travel cost method is Rp. 50,276,669.60/ person per year or Rp. 17,955,953.4/ person per visit, then the total economic value obtained from assuming a surplus of tourism consumers in Marjoly Beach and Resort is Rp. 2,295,129,967.25.

Quantification of Ecoservices in Traditional Agroforestry Systems in Semi Arid Tropics

Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss.) being an important tropical tree, traditional neem-based agroforestry (bund/boundary/scattered tree planting with field crops) systems were evaluated for their carbon sequestration (CS) potential, soil quality, pest dynamics and provisioning services in comparison with prevailing grain based system in the tropical India. Results revealed higher economic gain from soil quality services followed by CS in all the agroforestry systems among the non-marketable services, whereas higher provisioning services were obtained with crops alone. In all, total economic value was higher in boundary planting ($ 1053.94/ha/yr) followed by bund planting ($ 961.95/ha/yr) and was lower with scattered planting ($ 939.76/ha/yr). However, the provisioning services ($ 841 - 889/ha/yr) rendered by agroforestry systems were lower than those of agriculture alone ($ 904/ha/yr) but were still significant from ecological and sustainable angles. Bangladesh J. Bot. 50(2): 427-432, 2021 (June)

Landscape valuation of historical tourism site in Northern Iran: A case study from Sheikh-Zahed Tomb

In Iran, the importance of landscapes and the need to preserve these unique assets is not particularly recognized especially at tourism and environmental sites. This study investigated the landscape valuation of Sheikh-Zahed Tomb in Northern Iran. The contingent valuation method (CVM), which is based on a survey model, was used to assess visitors’ willingness to pay (WTP) in order to preserve the landscape. The data used in this study were collected though face-to-face interviews with 157 visitors to a historic tomb in the first half of 2019. The results indicate that the average of respondents’ WTP to preserve the landscape was 0.47 $ per year. The annual total economic value (TEV) of the landscape is estimated to be 11 960 782 $. Respondents’ age, monthly income of the respondent’s household, the tomb accessibility, the tomb architectural attraction, and proposed price for the landscape preservation had significant effects on WTP. Proposed empirical model (CVM) provides a comprehensive framework for illustrating landscape valuation of natural heritages and historical tourism sites globally as well as in Iran. Highlights for public administration, management and planning: • The evaluation of landscape values of historical site of Sheikh-Zahed tomb (Iran) for visitors is presented. • Both types of qualitative and quantitative variables affect WTP of visitors for the landscape preservation. • Among the key factors, the accessibility to the landscape affects its value for visitors, and the pristine and original landscape of the tomb is important for visitors.

Valuasi Ekonomi Sumberdaya Terumbu Karang di Kawasan Konservasi Gita Nada - Sekotong

Economic valuation is an important instrument in making policies for managing coral reef resources effectively and efficiently and is able to distribute the value of benefits and costs in developing conservation areas. This study aims to determine the economic valuation of coral reef resources in TWP Gita Nada Sekotong Lombok Barat Regency. The research used the survey method with a sample size of 45 respondents determined by purposive random sampling based on the status of the respondent. Data analysis uses the Total Economic Value (TEV) approach by aggregating the value of direct benefits, indirect benefit values, value of selected benefits, value of existence benefits, and value of inheritance benefits. The results showed that the TEV of coral reef in TWP Gita Nada was Rp. 147,976,915,107.98/year or IDR 54,778,806.30/ha/year. The value of indirect benefits contributed IDR 113,523,601,904.00 per year (76.7% of the total economic value of coral reefs), while the direct benefit contributes Rp. 34,453,313,203.98 per year (23.3% of the total economic value of coral reefs).