Latest news with #ManagementEffectivenessEvaluation
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Eravikulam and Dachigam named Top National Parks in India
In a splendid feat of natural excellence, Eravikulam National Park in Kerala has been ranked the top national park in India! The park scored 92.97% in the Union Ministry's recent Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) for the 2020–25 cycle. With this prestigious fear, the park proves it's a natural national treasure. The evaluation used international IUCN-WCPA standards to review 438 protected forest areas across India, highlighting Kerala as a top performer in managing its national parks. Eravikulam shares the top spot with Dachigam National Park, leaving behind some 438 protected regions across the globe. The park's stellar performance shows its successful anti-poaching measures, disabled‑friendly infrastructure, carbon‑negative initiatives, and scientific management strategies . Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod Krishnan called the prestigious award as a 'fitting tribute' to the park's commitment to conservation over the last 50 years! Unique features of the park include: Nilgiri Tahr Sanctuary : Not many must be aware of the fact that the park is home to some 750–800 endangered Nilgiri Tahr. It is home to half of the global population of these mountain goats! Can you imagine? Neelakurinji Bloom : The next big thing about this park is that rolling hills come alive once every 12 years when the Neelakurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus). Another bloom is expected in 2030. It's a rare view! Anamudi Peak : Eravikulam is also home to South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2,695 m). The park is surrounded by unique high-altitude grasslands and mosaic shola forests—a biodiversity hotspot rich in endemic flora and fauna. Accessibility : The park also happens to be Kerala's first disabled‑friendly and carbon‑negative national park. With a ferry system, visitor centers, solar-powered amenities, a fernarium, and accessible trails, the park balances both tourism and conservation. Best Time to Visit : April–May & Sep–Nov—ideal for wildlife Entry Fee : ₹200 (Indians), ₹500 (foreigners); mobile-ticketing ensures smooth operations Guided Trails : Rajamalai safari, Kurinji Trail The MEE report not only applauds Eravikulam's present management but underscores replicable practices: wildlife sanitation, corridor restoration, community engagement, and conflict mitigation. Such comprehensive conservation frameworks are proposed for emulation across other protected areas Eravikulam and Dachigam's recognition as India's best national park reaffirms the transformative power of science-led and sustainable park management.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Eravikulam ranked India's best national park
KOCHI: In a major recognition for Kerala's conservation efforts, the Eravikulam National Park in Munnar has been ranked the best among all national parks in India, as per the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–25 conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Eravikulam scored an impressive 92.97%, sharing the top rank with Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir. The MEE was conducted across 438 Protected Areas in the country over multiple phases by expert panels, following global criteria laid down by the IUCN and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA). Evaluations were based on 32 parameters grouped under six key aspects of conservation management, a release said here. Notably, Kerala emerged as the only state to receive a 'Very Good' rating, with a total score of 76.22%, outpacing states like Karnataka (74.24%), Punjab (71.74%), and Himachal Pradesh (71.36%), which were rated 'Good.' Two other protected areas from Kerala's Munnar Wildlife Division also made it to the top tier: Mathikettan Shola National Park (90.63%) and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (89.84%). The 97 Eravikulam Park, located in the high-altitude shola-grassland ecosystem of the southern Western Ghats, is home to the largest surviving population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, and is known for its rare kurinji flowers (Strobilanthes kunthianus), which bloom once every 12 years. The evaluation praised the park for its eco-tourism model built on strong community participation, its clean management, and its innovative use of technology. Eravikulam also hosts India's first Virtual Reality Nature Education Centre, allowing visitors to experience biodiversity without entering sensitive habitats. The park includes an interpretation centre, orchidarium, fernery, and segregated tourism zones to ensure minimal ecological disruption. Highlighting the achievement, Kerala's Forest and Wildlife Minister A K Saseendran congratulated 'officers and staff across the Forest Department who worked tirelessly for this.' Chief Wildlife Warden Pramod G Krishnan noted that the recognition was especially meaningful as Eravikulam celebrates its Golden Jubilee this year. The Western Ghats landscape—linking multiple protected areas across Kerala and Tamil Nadu—is described in the report as a critical biodiversity corridor. The Eravikulam model, it concludes, demonstrates how conservation, tourism, and local communities can coexist without compromising ecological integrity.
The Hindu
6 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Kerala tops the Management Effectiveness Evaluation of national parks and protected areas
The effective management practices followed in the National Parks (NP) and Protected Areas (PA) of Kerala has won the State the top position in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) carried out by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for 2020-2025. Kerala was the only State to get a 'Very Good' rating with a score of 76.22%. Karnataka (74.24), Punjab (71.74), and Himachal Pradesh (71.36) came next with 'Good' rating, according to the report. The Eravikulam NP (ENP) of Kerala and Dachigam NP in Jammu and Kashmir emerged as the highest-scoring individual PAs with a MEE score of 92.97% each. The Mathikettan Shola National Park of Kerala was among the 'other well-managed sites' with a score of 90.63%, according to the report. Kerala has 21 protected areas to its credit. Incidentally, the ENP is one of the 39 serial sites of the Western Ghats, which were declared as a World Heritage Site by the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO for its Outstanding Universal Value in 2012. The MEE score is calculated after a 'comprehensive assessment of various factors, including the performance and management of these protected areas over time.' As many as 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were assessed during the 2020-2025 cycle, according to the Ministry. Chandigarh (85.16%) emerged as the topper among the Union Territories whereas Ladakh (34.9%) was the only region categorised as 'Poor.' The Mathikettan Shola National Park is spread over an area of 12.82 sq. Km and an important part of an elephant corridor. It is also the only known habitat of the unique Galaxy Frog. The assessment reported noted that very little information was available on the Galaxy Frog, and systematic ecological monitoring was not currently in place. The ENP has an area of 97 sq. km and represents one of the largest contiguous Shola-grassland biomes in the high ranges of the southern Western Ghats. It is home to one of the last remaining populations of the Nilgiri Tahr as well as about 20 species of Strobilanthes, including the renowned Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus kunthianus), which flowers once every 12 years. The recommendations for the protected area include adding the adjoining areas from the Kottayam Division to the PA, improving eco-tourism facilities, removing exotic and invasive species from the PA, and soliciting support from scientific institutions, NGOs, and local conservationists for ecological monitoring and awareness generation.
Time of India
7 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Union forest min inaugurates MME report at ICCON 2025 in Wildlife Institute of India
1 2 3 Dehradun: Union minister of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC), Bhupender Yadav, on Wednesday, inaugurated the annual Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON) organised by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. Addressing the gathering, minister Yadav said, "India's leadership in biodiversity conservation today is both national and global." The forest minister felicitated the winners of the ICCON 2025 Equipment Grant Awards. He also unveiled the repeat cycle of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of India's national parks and wildlife sanctuaries – a key document assessing India's protected area governance. The MEE evaluation, conducted since 2006, represents a systematic approach to assessing how well PAs are managed and their effectiveness in conserving targeted flora and fauna, while the MEE score is derived from a detailed assessment of factors – including performance and management of these protected areas over time. The report, titled 'Management Effectiveness Evaluation of 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India 2020-2025', assessed 438 protected areas (PAs) across different states and union territories (UTs), with an overall mean MEE score of 64.41%, indicating management effectiveness as 'good'. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Tedd a cipődbe! A 3. napra már leesni kezdett rólam a kedvenc nadrágom! (Sokkot kaptam!) Undo "The first cycle of MEE covered 442 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, with an average score of 60.52%. The repeat cycle, covering 438 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, showed an improvement in management effectiveness, with the average MEE score increasing to 64.41%, highlighting the sustained efforts in enhancing management of our PAs. Additionally, the 113 coastal and marine protected areas (CMPAs) taken up for evaluation mark another milestone in strengthening conservation frameworks in India," the forest minister stated in the report. Of the 438 PAs, "84 PAs were rated as very good, highlighting their strong management practices, adherence to conservation goals, and effective implementation of MEE recommendations. At the state/UT level, Chandigarh (85.16%) and Kerala (76.22%) emerged as the top performers with 'very good' ratings, while Karnataka, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh followed closely with high 'good' ratings. On the other end of the spectrum, Ladakh (34.9%) was the only region categorised as 'poor,' reflecting significant challenges in PA management," the report read. In terms of overall distribution, 84 PAs achieved a very good rating, while the majority, 214 PAs, fell into the good category. A substantial number, 122 PAs, were rated as fair, showing room for improvement, while 18 PAs were categorised as poor, signifying the need for enhanced management efforts. "Among the highest-scoring individual PAs, Eravikulam NP in Kerala and Dachigam NP in Jammu & Kashmir recorded the highest MEE scores of 92.97%. Other well-managed sites included Bandli WLS (92.19%), Mathikettan Shola NP (90.63%), and Daroji Bear WLS (90.63%), all demonstrating exceptional conservation effectiveness. On the other hand, several PAs struggled with low scores, for example, Ringba-Roba WLS in Arunachal Pradesh, Jai Prakash Narayan Bird WLS in Uttar Pradesh, and Pakhi Bitan Bird WLS in West Bengal & Hemis NP in Ladakh," the report added. PAs are crucial components of global conservation efforts, essential for preserving biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. The MEE evaluation follows the globally recognised framework developed by the IUCN's World Commission on PAs. The exercise has yielded invaluable insights into the effectiveness of conservation efforts across these PAs. "The steady improvement in MEE scores across cycles is a testament to the effectiveness of our collective efforts and the resilience of our conservation strategies," said Virendra Tiwari, director of WII. The three-day conference, focused on conservation science, policy, and practice, has brought together hundreds of participants – including scientists, researchers, Indian Forest Service officers, students, NGOs, and international organisations, policymakers from across the country. The minister added, "Platforms like ICCON are essential in bringing together the next generation of researchers, forest officers, and conservationists to rethink solutions. Young minds must look beyond conventional answers — to bring science, technology, and empathy into the heart of conservation." He said that fresh ideas will help the country and the rest of the world learn to coexist with wildlife. Yadav also inaugurated the institute's new Herbarium Gallery and the Tusker Indoor Gym facility.
The Hindu
10-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Meghalaya group opposes ecotourism project in wildlife sanctuary
GUWAHATI A youth organisation has opposed an ecotourism development project in Meghalaya's Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary, citing a potential threat to its delicate ecosystem. In a letter submitted to the State's Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) and the Director of Wildlife Preservation on May 6, the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) called for scrapping the planned ecotourism project in and around the 29 sq. km sanctuary in Meghalaya's Ri-Bhoi district. The HYC was the second organisation to oppose the project worth ₹23.7 crore. Green-Tech Foundation (GTF), a Shillong-based environmental group, had petitioned the State's Tourism Minister, Paul Lyngdoh, against the proposed infrastructure project. The project, awarded to the Eco-Development Society of Meghalaya a few weeks ago, entails the construction of tourist dwellings, glass skywalks, a water sports arena and other tourist-friendly amenities. 'The sanctuary is a crucial habitat for various species of animals, birds, reptiles, insects, and plants. Any tourism activities will disrupt the fragile ecology of this protected area,' the HYC's president, Roykupar Synrem, said. He also said tourism-related projects should not be allowed in and around protected areas. The GTF's chairman, H.B.N. Nonglang, told journalists in April that Nongkhyllem Wildlife Sanctuary is too small for infrastructure projects and has been well-managed with minimal human interaction. 'Instead of the infrastructure project, the government should direct the funds toward developing communities around the sanctuary to ensure improved livelihood and employment opportunities,' he said. Established in 1981, the sanctuary is home to more than 400 species of birds, including the endangered rufous-necked hornbill. In 2021, the Management Effectiveness Evaluation report of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries said Nongkhyllem was the best-protected area in the northeast. Villagers and NGOS have been protesting infrastructure projects in and around protected areas and wetlands elsewhere in the northeast too. These include an oil exploration project near the Hoolock Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in eastern Assam and a logistics park adjoining the Dorabeel wetland near Guwahati.
