Published Jun 30, 2025 | 11:28 PM ⚊ Updated Jun 30, 2025 | 11:28 PM
Eravikulam National Park
In a proud moment for Kerala, Eravikulam National Park in Idukki district has been declared the best national park in India.
The recognition comes as the park celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The accolade was awarded following the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) conducted by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change across 438 protected areas in the country.
Eravikulam secured the top spot with an impressive score of 92.97%, based on 32 criteria evaluating six core conservation aspects, under a framework by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas.
Spread over 97 sq km in the Western Ghats, Eravikulam is renowned for its pristine shola forests, grasslands, the rare Neelakurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years, and thriving populations of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
The park is also known for its eco-tourism initiatives, including a well-managed tourism zone, a fernery, an orchidarium, a virtual biodiversity experience center, and a nature education facility.
Notably, Mathikettan Shola National Park and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, both under the Munnar Wildlife Division, secured the second and third ranks respectively, reinforcing Kerala’s leadership in biodiversity conservation.
