Kerala Tops MEE Ranking
Kerala has recently been recognised for its exceptional management of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. In the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for the period 2020-2025, Kerala shared the top position with Chandigarh. Both regions received high ratings, marking achievements in conservation efforts.
Management Effectiveness Evaluation Overview
The MEE assesses the performance of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India. It evaluates various factors including management practices, habitat conditions, and species monitoring. In total, 438 protected areas were assessed. Kerala’s mean score was 76.22%, while Chandigarh achieved 85.16%.
Top Scoring Protected Areas
Eravikulam National Park and Dachigam National Park emerged as the highest-rated protected areas, each scoring 92.97%. Other notable mentions include Mathikettan Shola National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, which secured fifth and sixth positions respectively among the top ten protected areas.
Challenges Faced by Protected Areas
Despite the overall positive evaluations, several protected areas in Kerala face challenges. Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary has shown a declining trend due to urban pollution and lack of a management plan. Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary experiences biotic pressure from feral cattle, while Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary grapples with man-animal conflicts exacerbated by human encroachment.
Recommendations for Improvement
The evaluation report outlines several recommendations to enhance management effectiveness. These include relocating tribal hamlets to reduce conflicts, controlling invasive species, and improving monitoring protocols. Additionally, integrating the Chedaleth range with Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary is suggested to secure elephant corridors.
Significance of Eravikulam National Park
Eravikulam National Park is notable for its biodiversity. It is home to the Nilgiri Tahr and unique flora such as the Neelakurinji, which flowers every 12 years. The park represents one of the largest Shola-grassland biomes in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Future Directions for Conservation
To maintain and improve management effectiveness, Kerala aims to enhance eco-tourism facilities and engage local communities in conservation efforts. Collaborations with scientific institutions and NGOs are also encouraged to boost ecological monitoring and awareness.
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