Latest news with #ManagementEffectivenessEvaluation
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
WII recommends reforms for sanctuaries management in Andhra Pradesh
VISAKHAPATNAM: A detailed review by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has highlighted the need for scientific, infrastructure-based and community-driven measures to improve the ecological management of Andhra Pradesh's wildlife sanctuaries. The recommendations are part of the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of Protected Areas 2020–2025. Despite continuous efforts by the Forest Department and frontline staff, several sanctuaries continue to face recurring challenges, including the need for updated management plans, improved monitoring, enhanced staff capacity and consistent community engagement. Seven wildlife sanctuaries were assessed in the MEE report, each presenting unique ecological contexts and management issues. At Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary, which showed the highest improvement in MEE score, WII recommended expanding nest protection for the Indian Courser and addressing human-wildlife conflict linked to a growing blackbuck population. Measures such as crop protection and compensation for affected farmers were advised. Community awareness and eco-development programmes require attention. In Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, the report suggested launching a captive breeding programme, deploying advanced patrolling tools, and increasing staff numbers. While fire and grazing threats have been controlled through regular patrolling, species-specific monitoring and long-term ecological studies were identified as gaps. For Nellapattu Bird Sanctuary, WII acknowledged improved management but pointed to unresolved water regulation challenges. It recommended restoring feeder channels, modernising surveillance tools, and enhancing visitor interpretation facilities.
New Indian Express
04-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Andhra Pradesh rated Good in MEE of parks, sanctuaries
VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra Pradesh has been placed in the 'Good' category in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries 2020–25, conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII). The report was released by Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav during the Indian Conservation Conference (ICCON-2025), held from June 24 to 27 at WII in Dehradun, in the presence of WII Director Virendra Rambahal Tiwari. The assessment covered 10 Protected Areas (PAs) in Andhra Pradesh in the repeat evaluation cycle. The State recorded a mean MEE score of 62.76%, with individual scores ranging from 51.56% to 78.13%, resulting in an overall 'Good' classification. The report noted that while several PAs improved, others saw a decline, highlighting the need for better governance and site-specific interventions. Among national parks, Papikonda National Park showed notable progress, improving from 45.5% ('Fair') to 60% ('Good'). Sri Venkateswara National Park declined from 70.31% to 63.71% but retained its 'Good' rating. Rajiv Gandhi (Rameswaram) National Park slipped slightly from 55% to 54%, remaining in the 'Fair' category.
Time of India
29-06-2025
- 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
28-06-2025
- 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
26-06-2025
- 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.
