New Workshop Kicks Off India’s 6th Tiger Reserve Evaluation Cycle
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav, inaugurated the Inception Workshop for the 6th Cycle of Management Effectiveness Evaluation of Tiger Reserves in India (MEE-TR) in New Delhi today. This event, organized by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in partnership with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), marks the official start of a comprehensive evaluation covering all 58 Tiger Reserves across the country.
The workshop gathered key stakeholders, including representatives from NTCA, WII, state forest departments, and experts from tiger reserve management teams. Together, they discussed the framework, methodology, and implementation strategies for the upcoming evaluation.
During his opening address, Shri Yadav emphasized India’s commitment to tiger conservation, highlighting that the country has designated over 85,000 square kilometers for this purpose. He urged for the integration of modern scientific processes and technologies into wildlife conservation. Furthermore, he stressed that any science-based approach should also prioritize compassion and a vision that fosters cooperation between forest departments and local communities.
The Minister proposed the involvement of local ecological and sociological experts in the MEE evaluation process, along with the inclusion of local youth. He pointed out that evaluation findings should align with the specific needs and challenges faced by individual tiger reserves, guiding effective policy interventions that support both ecosystem preservation and social balance.
Shri Yadav called for thorough assessments of human-wildlife conflicts and the measurement of conservation success. He highlighted the importance of site-specific landscape management and adaptive conservation practices that consider local socio-economic factors. He underlined the necessity for professionalism and objectivity in the MEE process to ensure meaningful assessments that enhance conservation management.
Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, acknowledged the invaluable contributions of experienced forest officers who have dedicated decades to conservation efforts. Their extensive field knowledge, he affirmed, serves as a crucial resource for future wildlife conservationists.
The MEE-TR is an evidence-based framework that evaluates the effectiveness of tiger reserve management in achieving conservation goals. This cycle builds on lessons learned from previous assessments conducted in 2006, 2010, 2014, 2018, and 2022. A new element introduced in the 2026 cycle is the focus on solid waste management as a separate evaluation criterion, which will address sustainable waste practices within tiger reserves.
The assessment will evaluate various aspects of tiger reserve management, including tiger and prey conservation, habitat management, wildlife protection, and community engagement. The evaluation will be conducted by independent multidisciplinary teams that will identify strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing improvement for prioritizing conservation actions.
Technical sessions during the workshop provided insights into the MEE-TR framework, its evolution, and operational logistics. The Technical Manual of MEE 2026 was also released, outlining the framework for the sixth cycle’s evaluation.
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