Kerala has emerged as the best-performing state in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–2025 of National Parks and Protected Areas, conducted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
This evaluation is based on frameworks provided by IUCN and international best practices, and helps improve conservation policies across India. The evaluation is important for ensuring long-term ecological sustainability and better policy interventions in ecologically sensitive zones.
Key Highlights
Kerala’s MEE Ranking
- Kerala Score: 76.22% – Rated “Very Good”.
- Only state in India to receive this top rating in the MEE 2020–2025 cycle.
- Kerala managed 21 Protected Areas, with 20 showing improvement in MEE scores.
Other State Performances (Rated “Good”)
- Karnataka: 74.24%
- Punjab: 71.74%
- Himachal Pradesh: 71.36%
Union Territories
- Top Performer: Chandigarh – 85.16%
- Lowest: Ladakh – 34.9% (Rated “Poor”)
Top Performing Protected Areas
| Rank | Protected Area | State/UT | MEE Score |
| 1 (tie) | Eravikulam National Park | Kerala | 92.97% |
| 1 (tie) | Dachigam National Park | Jammu & Kashmir | 92.97% |
| 5 | Mathikettan Shola National Park | Kerala | 90.63% |
| 6 | Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala | NA |
Kerala’s Key Protected Areas
Eravikulam National Park (ENP)
- Score: 92.97% (Top in India)
- Location: Western Ghats, Kerala
- Area: 97 sq. km
- Key Features:
- Shola-grassland ecosystem
- Home to Nilgiri Tahr (endangered)
- Famous for Neelakurinji flowers (bloom every 12 years)
- Recognised as part of UNESCO World Heritage Site (2012)
Mathikettan Shola National Park
- Score: 90.63%
- Area: 12.82 sq. km
- Significance:
- Part of an elephant corridor
- Only known habitat of the Galaxy Frog
- Calls for ecological monitoring due to data gaps
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary
- Featured among top 10 protected areas
- Rich in biodiversity, part of Western Ghats ecosystem
Challenges Identified
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary, Kochi
- Only sanctuary in Kerala with a decline in MEE score
- Problems:
- Surrounded by high-rise buildings
- Untreated sewage discharge
- Air pollution from motor traffic
- Lacks an approved management plan
- Need to improve mangrove habitat and monitor bird populations
Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
- Faces biotic pressure due to presence of 12 villages and feral cattle
About MEE 2020–2025
What is MEE?
- Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) is a tool to assess how well National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries are being managed.
- Aligned with global standards: IUCN and World Commission on Protected Areas
Assessment Scope:
- Total PAs evaluated: 438 across India
- Parameters: 32 indicators across 6 categories:
- Context
- Planning
- Inputs
- Process
- Outputs
- Outcomes
Recommendations from the Report
- Add adjoining forest areas (e.g., from Kottayam Division) to enhance PA coverage.
- Improve eco-tourism infrastructure.
- Remove invasive species from PAs.
- Collaborate with scientific institutions, NGOs, and local conservationists for:
- Ecological monitoring
- Awareness programs
- Community-based conservation