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Tiger Reserves Under Scrutiny: India's 6th Conservation Check
29 Oct
Summary
- India launched the 6th cycle of tiger reserve management evaluations.
- 58 tiger reserves across 14 landscape clusters are being assessed.
- The evaluation framework focuses on tangible ecological objectives.
India has commenced the sixth cycle of its Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) for tiger reserves, a comprehensive nationwide assessment of 58 protected areas. This significant exercise is being coordinated by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
Independent expert teams have been formed for each landscape cluster. These teams will evaluate conservation efforts by focusing on tangible ecological achievements rather than just administrative functions. The evaluation is scheduled to be completed by December 31.
The revised MEE framework assesses reserves against six key parameters. These include ecological status, conservation planning, resource availability, management strategy implementation, immediate outputs like patrolling, and long-term outcomes such as tiger population trends and habitat connectivity.
Assessments for three reserves in Uttar Pradesh—Dudhwa, Pilibhit, and Ranipur—along with two in Uttarakhand—Rajaji and Corbett—are underway. Amangarh in Uttar Pradesh, part of Corbett's buffer, will also be included. Pilibhit and Dudhwa are slated for assessment in November.
