Assessment of Protected areaManagement effectiveness of Sikkim, Eastern Himalaya, India

摘要

Globally protected areas (PAs) are considered as the cornerstones of biodiversity conservation. In recent years, there has been a growing concern among PA professionals to assess the management effectives of PAs. The present study has been carried outfor the evaluation of PAs of Sikkim by applying IUCN Protected Area Management Effectiveness (PAME) framework with little modifications. There are eight PAs in Sikkim, which have been evaluated through this process during 2014-2015. The result indicatesthat PAs of Sikkim have an overall average evaluation score of 55%, Khangchendzonga National Park being the highest score of 62.50% and FambongLho Wildlife Sanctuary being the lowest score of 46.67%. Four PAs of the state are rated in 'good' category and remaining four are rated in 'fair' category. This exercise reveals that PA Network of the state is better placed as far as community support, protection, human wildlife conflicts and landscape integration are concerned. However, quality of management plans and capacity of field staff for wildlife management are critical areas which need to be addressed on a priority basis. The study provides an insight about strengths and weaknesses of the management and possible ways for improvement of PAs. The studyalso tries to look at the overall issues of PA management and what policy level and institutional reforms are needed to strengthen the biodiversity conservation initiatives of the State.