Eravikulam National Park recognised as best in India on its 50th anniversary

Idukki: On its 50th anniversary, Eravikulam National Park in Idukki has been recognised as the best national park in India. The prestigious recognition comes from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, based on the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) of protected areas conducted between 2020 and 2025.

Famous for its Nilgiri tahr population and the blooming of the rare Neelakurinji flower, Eravikulam continues to be a favourite destination among nature lovers and tourists. The park, under the Munnar Wildlife Division, scored an impressive 92.97%, ranking first among 438 protected forest regions across the country.

The evaluation followed the assessment framework set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the World Commission on Protected Areas. The scoring was based on 32 parameters covering six key management elements.

Closely following Eravikulam were two other protected areas in the Munnar Wildlife Division — Mathikettan Shola National Park with 90.63% and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary with 89.84%.

Eravikulam spans 97 square kilometres across the biodiverse Western Ghats, a region characterised by rolling grasslands and Shola forests. It holds significant ecological importance due to its unique flora and fauna.

What sets Eravikulam National Park apart

Eravikulam is home to the largest population of Nilgiri tahr in the world. It also hosts over 20 varieties of the rare kurinji flower, including the famed Neelakurinji, which blooms once every 12 years. Known as one of the cleanest national parks in India, the area has also been recognised for pioneering eco-tourism initiatives with active participation from local communities.

The park is a part of a crucial biodiversity corridor that connects several protected areas and reserve forests in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The MEE report also highlights the park’s diverse range of tropical montane ecosystems, where both flora and fauna are meticulously conserved.

Distinct features of the park include well-defined and regulated tourism zones, an interpretation centre, an orchidarium, a fernery, and a virtual reality experience centre that allows visitors to explore biodiversity without disturbing natural habitats. A Nature Education Centre further enhances public awareness and involvement.

The evaluation at Eravikulam was conducted by a panel of experts, including Chairperson Dr S V Kumar, Dr Jyoti Kashyap, Dr G Arindran, and Dr J A Johnson.