Kerala has secured the top spot in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of National Parks and Protected Areas (PAs) for the cycle 2020–2025, conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. With a remarkable score of 76.22%, Kerala stands out as the only state to achieve a “Very Good” rating, showcasing its exceptional conservation efforts and practices.
Key Highlights
- Kerala scored 76.22%, the sole “Very Good” rated state.
- Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Dachigam National Park (J&K) both secured the highest scores among protected areas: 92.97% each.
- Mathikettan Shola National Park (Kerala) achieved a high score of 90.63%.
Important Protected Areas in Kerala
Eravikulam National Park (97 sq. km)
- Home to the critically endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
- Features the rare Shola-grassland biome of the Western Ghats.
- Houses Neelakurinji, a flower that blooms once every 12 years.
- Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Western Ghats serial sites.
Mathikettan Shola National Park (12.82 sq. km)
- Functions as an elephant corridor and the sole habitat of the Galaxy Frog.
- Identified the need for systematic ecological monitoring.
Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)
The MEE is a globally utilized assessment framework that evaluates the performance and management of PAs over time. Key factors considered include biodiversity conservation, habitat quality, community involvement, infrastructure, and adaptive management. In the 2020–2025 cycle, a total of 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were evaluated.
Union Territory Performance
- Top UT: Chandigarh (85.16%)
- Lowest Scorer: Ladakh (34.9%) – rated as “Poor”
Recommendations for Kerala’s Protected Areas
- Add adjoining areas (e.g., Kottayam Division) to Eravikulam PA.
- Enhance eco-tourism infrastructure.
- Eradicate exotic and invasive species.
- Collaborate with scientific institutions, NGOs, and local communities.
Key Takeaways for Competitive Exams
- Kerala leads in the National Evaluation of Protected Areas 2020–2025 with a score of 76.22%.
- Eravikulam National Park and Mathikettan Shola National Park in Kerala demonstrate exemplary conservation efforts.
- The Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) assesses key factors like biodiversity conservation and community involvement.
- Collaboration with various stakeholders is crucial for the sustainable management of protected areas.
