This study estimates the recreational demand for the Indian Sundarban, which is a World Heritage site and a complex mangrove ecosystem that borders India and Bangladesh. In 2005-06, the Indian Sunderban received some 64,000 visitors, mainly from Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal. Tourism to the Sunderban is highly seasonal and characterised by few multipoint or foreign visitors.

This case study is a review of socio-economic structure of the people, their loss and benefit out of sanctuaries, concept of WTP (willingness to pay) and finally attitude towards conservation. Details salient features of a recommended female oriented economic development programme and says that this is certain to have long lasting effect on the general attitude towards wildlife conservation.