Srinagar: Dachigam National Park in Jammu and Kashmir has emerged as the top-performing protected area in India, securing the highest score in the Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, officials said on Saturday.
Scoring an impressive 92.97 percent, Dachigam ranked first among 438 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries assessed across the country, marking a significant milestone for the region’s conservation efforts.
“This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the park’s outstanding conservation standards, adaptive management, and ecological protection protocols,” said a spokesperson from the Department of Wildlife Protection, Jammu and Kashmir.
The MEE, a tool developed under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, assesses how effectively protected areas are managed. It evaluates factors such as biodiversity conservation, habitat management, protection measures, community participation, and research initiatives.
Dachigam is globally significant for being the last habitat of the critically endangered Hangul (Cervus hanglu hanglu) — also known as the Kashmir stag — which is found nowhere else in the world. Recent population estimates have shown a positive trend in Hangul numbers, offering hope for the long-term survival of the species.
Officials attribute the park’s success to dedicated anti-poaching vigilance, habitat improvement, scientific monitoring, and eco-development initiatives. The recognition comes as a boost for conservation strategies in the Kashmir Himalayas, which host unique biodiversity amid fragile ecosystems.
