Kerala Tops National Evaluation of Protected Areas for 2020–2025

Kerala has been ranked the top-performing state 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 score of 76.22%, Kerala is the only state to receive a “Very Good” rating. Its Eravikulam National Park, home to the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, scored the highest among individual protected areas, reflecting Kerala’s outstanding conservation practices.

Why in News?

The MEE 2020–2025 report, released by the Union Environment Ministry, has declared Kerala as the best-managed state in terms of its National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries. Kerala’s consistent and effective biodiversity conservation efforts across 21 protected areas earned it the top position. This achievement gains added importance as it highlights India’s commitment to global biodiversity targets under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Key Highlights of the MEE 2020–2025

• Kerala scored 76.22%, the only “Very Good” rated state.

Other top states

• Karnataka – 74.24%
• Punjab – 71.74%
• Himachal Pradesh – 71.36%
• Eravikulam National Park (Kerala) and Dachigam National Park (J&K) both scored the highest among protected areas: 92.97% each.
• Mathikettan Shola National Park (Kerala) also scored highly at 90.63%.

Important Protected Areas in Kerala

Eravikulam National Park (97 sq. km)

• Home to the Nilgiri Tahr, a critically endangered species.
• Features rare Shola-grassland biome of the Western Ghats.
• Houses Neelakurinji, which blooms once every 12 years.
• Part of the UNESCO World Heritage Western Ghats serial sites.

Mathikettan Shola NP (12.82 sq. km)

• Elephant corridor and only known habitat of the Galaxy Frog.
• Identified need for systematic ecological monitoring.

What is the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE)?

• A comprehensive assessment framework used globally and in India.
• Evaluates performance and management of PAs over time.
• Key factors: biodiversity conservation, habitat quality, community involvement, infrastructure, and adaptive management.
• In this cycle (2020–2025), 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries were evaluated.

Union Territory Performance

• Topper UT: Chandigarh (85.16%)
• Lowest Scorer: Ladakh (34.9%) – rated as “Poor”

Recommendations for Kerala’s PAs

• Add adjoining areas (e.g., Kottayam Division) to Eravikulam PA.
• Improve eco-tourism infrastructure.
• Remove exotic/invasive species.
• Collaborate with scientific institutions, NGOs, and local communities.