Kerala ranked best state in management effectiveness evaluation of national parks and protected areas across India

Eravikulam National Park in Kerala and Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir topped India’s Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) with the highest scores, reflecting their outstanding biodiversity conservation and ecological management.

In a significant boost to India’s biodiversity conservation credentials, Kerala has been declared the best-performing state in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–2025 of National Parks and Protected Areas (PAs). Conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the report places Kerala at the forefront of ecological stewardship, with a standout performance score of 76.22%—the only state to receive a “Very Good” rating.

Eravikulam National Park in Kerala and Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir emerged as the top-rated protected areas in India, each securing an impressive MEE score of 92.97%. Located in the southern Western Ghats, Eravikulam is celebrated for its rare shola-grassland ecosystem and as the last stronghold of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr. It also shelters the iconic Neelakurinji flowers, which bloom once every 12 years.

Kerala Leads the Nation in Biodiversity Conservation
The MEE report, covering 438 Protected Areas across India, assessed management effectiveness based on 32 parameters under six key categories aligned with global benchmarks set by the IUCN and the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

Kerala’s comprehensive and consistent biodiversity protection efforts across 21 protected areas helped it outperform other states like Karnataka (74.24%), Punjab (71.74%), and Himachal Pradesh (71.36%)—all rated “Good.”

Munnar Division Shines with Multiple Top-Ranked Parks
Apart from Eravikulam, two other protected areas from Kerala’s Munnar Wildlife Division also featured prominently in the rankings:

• Mathikettan Shola National Park (90.63%): Spanning 12.82 sq. km, this park is a vital elephant corridor and the only known habitat of the rare Galaxy Frog. While it earned a high overall score, evaluators identified the need for systematic ecological monitoring to support long-term biodiversity preservation.
• Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary (89.84%): Known for its unique thorny scrub forests and diverse wildlife, including the endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel.

Spread across 97 sq. km, Eravikulam Park is not only a haven for the Nilgiri Tahr but also a model of sustainable tourism and conservation. Key features include:

• Eco-tourism initiatives driven by community participation.
• India’s first Virtual Reality Nature Education Centre, providing immersive learning without ecological disruption.
• Dedicated zones for tourism, interpretation, and research, helping maintain ecological balance.
• A fernery, orchidarium, and interpretive signage for education and conservation awareness.

Other Key Findings from the MEE Report

• Chandigarh topped the list among Union Territories with an 85.16% score.
• Ladakh, however, received the lowest performance rating at 34.9%, falling into the “Poor” category.

Kerala’s top ranking in the MEE 2020–2025 highlights its ecological foresight, community-led conservation, and effective protected area management. With Eravikulam National Park at its helm, the state sets a benchmark for sustainable environmental governance in India.