Although monetary valuation of natural ecosystems is difficult, such valuat
ion helps to draw attention to their importance, and highlight conservation
needs, especially in developing countries. The recreational value of Khech
eopalri, a lake situated in the West District of Sikkim State, India, which
has recreational, biodiversity and sacredness values, was assessed. The de
mand curve function for recreation increased with decreases in travel cost
and distance for Sikkimese visitors. The recreational value of the lake was
similar to other protected sites in India; however, all these sites had ve
ry low values compared to sites elsewhere in the world. Willingness to pay
for maintenance and preservation of the lake by all types of visitors range
d from US$ 0.88 for members of the local community to US$ 7.19 for internat
ional tourists. The lake showed high recreational/sacredness values that we
re attributed to conservation of the site for biodiversity and pilgrimage.
A large number of lakes in the Hindu-Kush Himalayan region, if properly man
aged and marketed for ecotourism, can bring economic development that can b
e linked with conservation.