Union forest min inaugurates MME report at ICCON 2025 in Wildlife Institute of India
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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'.
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"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.
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