Practical Lessons in Applied Resource Valuation: Evaluating Bintuni Bay

The basic objective of the study was to conduct an environmental economic analysis of the various activities taking place in the Bintuni Bay area. The Ministry of Environment was, at that time, starting to close down non-sustainable logging operations while also promoting the conservation of important natural areas. The analysis would provide insights into optimal conservation and development strategies for the resource. Such an analysis needed to be provided quickly to senior policy makers. The entire project from inception, to field work, to analysis, to input into the decision-making process via a workshop of senior policy-makers took less than one-half of one year to complete. Timely delivery of an understandable analytical product was therefore an important aspect of the study.