Kerala ranks first in public domain management
Kerala tops national evaluation of protected areas: Kerala has emerged as the top-performing state in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) 2020–2025, conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. With a score of 76.22%, Kerala achieved the highest rating and was the only state classified as “Very Good.”
This achievement reflects Kerala’s strategic and sustained efforts in managing its 21 Protected Areas (PAs) through effective conservation practices, biodiversity preservation, and community involvement.
Eravikulam leads among protected areas
Eravikulam National Park, situated in the Western Ghats, received an outstanding 92.97%, tying with Dachigam National Park in Jammu & Kashmir for the highest individual PA score.
Eravikulam is the prime habitat of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr and is also known for the rare Neelakurinji flower, which blooms once every 12 years.
Static GK fact: Eravikulam is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Western Ghats and features the unique Shola-grassland ecosystem.
Mathikettan Shola excels in evaluation
Mathikettan Shola National Park, another key conservation site in Kerala, scored 90.63% in the MEE. It serves as a vital elephant corridor and is the only known habitat of the Galaxy Frog, an endemic amphibian species.
The park has been recommended for improved ecological monitoring, infrastructure development, and species protection.
National evaluation findings
The MEE 2020–2025 evaluated 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries across India. Key evaluation parameters included biodiversity conservation, habitat quality, community engagement, management systems, and tourism infrastructure.
Other top-performing states included:
- Karnataka – 74.24%
- Punjab – 71.74%
- Himachal Pradesh – 71.36%
Static GK fact: The MEE framework was introduced in India in 2006, inspired by global models under the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.
Union Territory performance
Among Union Territories, Chandigarh led with 85.16%, while Ladakh scored the lowest at 34.9%, receiving a “Poor” rating.
The report calls for capacity-building, better planning, and long-term conservation strategy in underperforming areas.
Key recommendations for Kerala
The MEE report suggested expanding Eravikulam’s boundary by including Kottayam division, enhancing eco-tourism infrastructure, and removing invasive species.
It also emphasized building partnerships with scientific institutions, NGOs, and local communities to further improve conservation outcomes.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Kerala tops national evaluation of protected areas:
| Topic | Detail |
| Top-performing state | Kerala (76.22%) – “Very Good” rating |
| Best protected areas | Eravikulam NP (Kerala), Dachigam NP (J&K) – 92.97% |
| Other high scorer | Mathikettan Shola NP – 90.63% |
| Total PAs evaluated | 438 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries |
| Nilgiri Tahr habitat | Eravikulam National Park |
| Unique flora | Neelakurinji flower blooms every 12 years |
| Top Union Territory | Chandigarh – 85.16% |
| Lowest Union Territory | Ladakh – 34.9% |
| MEE introduction in India | 2006 |
| Oversight body | Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change |
