After 12 Years, Neelakurinji Is Blooming, And It Is Time To Pack Your Bags And Head To Munnar

[KapitaanAli]

After 12 Years, Neelakurinji Is Blooming, And It Is Time To Pack Your Bags And Head To Munnar
Bobins Abraham | Updated: July 05, 2018

Ready for a visual treat of a blue floral carpet as far as the eye can see? Then head to Munnar, Kerala and witness the spectacle that happens only once in 12 years. Munnar, one of the most visited tourist destinations in India, will turn into a mountain covered with blue flowers when the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) flower begins blooming later this month.

KERALA TOURISM

The rare flower which grows across the Western Ghats, is found in abundance in the hills of Munnar and blooms once in twelve years, And, it is happening now.

These flowers bloom after a long wait of 12 years and Munnar is best known for them. These flowers, when in bloom, cover vast areas over hills and the surrounding landscape. There is no better time than this to visit the hill station.

KERALA TOURISM

The floral season which begins in July will continue till October, giving an unparalleled visual treat to the visitors.

The eye-soothing purplish-blue colour of the flowers, will leave you awestruck with its visual extravaganza.

KERALA TOURISM

In 2006, the last time Neelakurinji bloomed at the Eravikulam National Park, as many as 3 lakh tourists came to witness the spectacle. This year Kerala Tourism officials are expecting a footfall of around 8 lakh visitors from across the globe.

“There is no better time to visit Munnar than the time when Neelakurinji plants bloom en masse. As many as 628,427 tourists had visited Munnar in 2017 with an increase of 34.31 percent as compared to 467,881 vacationers in 2016. The Tourism Department is expecting a growth of 79 percent in tourist arrivals to Munnar this year. This unique lifecycle of the plant makes the hills a must-visit destination for travel enthusiasts.” P. Bala Kiran, IAS, Director, Kerala Tourism said.


KERALA TOURISM

Tourists visiting the state during this time can also spot the majestic Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain goat endemic to these hills. Other attractions in Munnar include Anamudi Peak, the tallest peak in south India, highly sought after trekking route.

With the biggest tourists season ahead, local tour operators were all excited to welcome guests.

"I am waiting to see the Neelakurinji bloom. Though I have seen it twice in the past it seems like ages ago. If as local I can't contain the excitement I can understand how the tourists might feel seeing the mountains covered with flowers," Vincent, a Munnar-based resort owner said.

KERALA TOURISM

Located in Idukki District of Kerala, Munnar is accessible by road from the nearest airport in Kochi which is 140 kms away.


Tourists planning to visit Munnar are advised to book tickets online by login into www.munnarwildlife.com,www.eravikulamnationalpark.com.


The number of visitors at Eravikulam National Park will be restricted to 3,500 per day. About 75 per cent of the total tickets are made available online and the remaining 25 per cent will be sold from counters set up at Marayoor Wildlife Complex and Old Munnar.

The price of ticket for adults will be Rs 120 per person while it is Rs 90 for children and Rs 400 for foreign tourists.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Of all long interval bloomers (or plietesials) Strobilanthes kunthianus is the most rigorously demonstrated, with documented bloomings in 1838, 1850, 1862, 1874, 1886, 1898, 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 and 2018.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Once in a blue bloom: Kerala's famed neelakurinji set for rare mass blossom

The famed neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) will burst into flower - a phenomenon that occurs once in 12 years.

• Ajith Lawrence
  
• Haritha John
• Thursday, July 12, 2018 - 15:38

Kerala Tourism

Starting late July, the Anamalai hills near Munnar in Kerala will be resplendent, clad in a purplish blue carpet. The famed neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) will burst into flower - a phenomenon that occurs once in 12 years. Hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the Munnar hills to behold the spectacle that lasts up until October.

Munnar is home to the highest concentration of neelakurinji plants in the country - spread over 3,000 hectares of rolling hills. Each shrub reproduces once in its life time and dies after flowering. It takes another 12 years for the seeds to sprout again and grow up to 30 to 60 centimetres high, for another glorious bloom.


The neelakurinji belongs to the genus Strobilanthes, which is a tropical plant species found in Asia and Australia. There are about 450 species of Strobilanthes in the world, of which 146 are found in India and of them, about 43, in Kerala.

The blooming of neelakurunji this year has ensured the fourth most important place for the Western Ghats in the Lonely Planet's 2018 Best in Asia.

According to Prasad Ambattu, a journalist and a resident of Munnar, there are two 12-year cycles simultaneously going on in the Anamalai hills. In one cycle, the last neelakurinji bloom was in 2006 and the next one is now, in 2018. In the other cycle, the last bloom was in 2014.

The mass flowering neelakurinji provides a feast for butterflies, honeybees and other insects. The purple flowers hold a large amount of nectar, which especially attract the eastern honeybee (Apis cerana).

"This honey from the neelakurinji is very special. It lasts for about 15 years without getting spoilt," said G. Rajkumar, chief coordinator of the NGO Save Kurinji Campaign Council. He added that the honey is supposed to have medicinal properties.

Rajkumar also said that the ecosystem that supports the kurinji plants plays a major role in bringing water to the Amaravati river which is a tributary of the Kaveri river, a main water source for Tamil Nadu. "The Kurinji reserve is in the catchment area of Amaravati river," he said.

The tourist boom begins

The forest department expects a large number of tourists to arrive in Munnar during this season, said Lekshmi Rajeshwari, forest range officer at Devikulam, which is part of the Eravikulam National Park, the prime destination where neelakurinji will bloom.

"One million tourists, including travellers from Europe and the United States, are expected to visit this amazing place this year," she said.

Last October, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had communicated through a social media post that around eight lakh (0.8 million) tourists are expected for the bloom season and the state government aims to introduce a series of measures to protect the Eravikulam National Park. As an unprecedented number of tourists will visit the region, the government plans to restrict the numbers entering the park and the amount of time they spend there, said Vijayan's post. Action on waste management and required tourist facilities are to be in place to safeguard the national park.

Encroachment on the neelakurinji habitats

The Kurinjimala Sanctuary was declared in 2006, during the previous mass flowering to protecting the neelakurinji and its habitat. "This sanctuary gives the rarest, most spectacular view of neelakurinji," said G. Baburaj, an environmentalist. "But it is eyed by many," he added, elaborating that the area is being encroached on by resorts, hotels, plantations and small farms.

To put an end to the encroachments, the Kerala government passed an ordinance in 2006, for protecting the Kurinjimala Sanctuary. Since a number of settlements came under the area in the sanctuary, which was raising a stir among locals, the government, in the ordinance, authorised a sub-collector to adjudicate land claims after hearing complaints.

The proposed land that came under this ordinance included 2,041 houses, more than 53 government offices, 12 schools, 62 temples, churches and even banks. There were allegations against local politicians for forging title deeds of land ownership in the areas declared as protected.

However, for Kurinjimala to be declared as a wildlife sanctuary permanently under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, there is need for the settlement officer (in this case the Devikulam sub-collector) to go through the settlement of rights process for those who have inhabited or have rights over the land. This has now happened.

In November 2017, the Kerala Government decided to redraw the boundaries of the Kurinjimala Sanctuary - a move which had invited criticism alleging that it was to support the encroachers.

Following the controversy, Pinarayi Vijayan had promised that the reserve's area will not be reduced at any cost. He told media representatives that a committee will be formed to study the issues at the reserve and it will look in to the settlement concerns.

There is also a case pending in the Kerala High Court, demanding a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) enquiry into the involvement of the local member of Parliament in fabricating documents for the land. Similarly, there are hundreds of such encroachments in the reserve, claims environmentalist G. Baburaj.

Protection for neelakurinji habitat finally declared

Now, in the latest decision as of April 2018, the Kerala cabinet has decided to ensure that the proposed Neelakurinji Sanctuary will have a minimum of 3,200 hectares. Though the cabinet had decided not to evict people with title deeds, it plans to redraw the boundaries in cooperation with the revenue department.

The cabinet decision includes appointing a settlement officer, conducting drone-based survey to identify the forest land and amending The Kerala Promotion of Tree Growth In Non-Forest Areas Act 2005 to prevent growing acacia and eucalyptus in the reserve forest area, all meant to benefit the Kurinjimala Sanctuary.

 

[KapitaanAli]

Best places to visit in Munnar to witness blooming Neelakurinji
Best places to visit in Kerala: The neelakurinji plant bursts into flower every 12 years. This year, make your way to the Munnar hill station in Kerala and check out these 5 places for a mix of relaxation and adventure.
Updated: Jul 29, 2018 14:52:24

By Asian News International

• 
  

Starting late July, the Anamalai hills near Munnar in Kerala will be clad in purplish blue neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) which bursts into flower once in 12 years. (Kerala Tourism)
Every year during the season of the bloom, travel agencies see a huge growth in the holiday bookings to the hill station Munnar, as travellers gather to witness the magnetism of the rare blooming of ‘Neelakurinji’ flowers. Starting late July, the Anamalai hills near Munnar in Kerala will be clad in purplish blue neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) which bursts into flower once in 12 years. Thousands of visitors flock to Munnar to witness the spectacle that lasts till October.

Also read: Best time to visit Kerala, Munnar’s famed neelakurinji flower to bloom after 12 years

MakeMyTrip lists 5 mesmerising places that need to be on any traveller’s checklist on a trip to Munnar:

Pothamedu: Pothamedu gives travellers an opportunity to enjoy aromatic spice plantations. The exotic tea and coffee plantation, aromatic cardamom fields, and the untouched beauty of this place is sure to rejuvenate. This tourist spot is at a distance of 6 kilometers from Munnar and is reachable by hired or shared taxi. This destination is also ideal for trekking and long mountain walks.

Attukal: A majestic waterfall located right outside the city, Attukal is a must-visit place in Munnar. Situated in the secluded corner of Pallivasal, Attukal is at its best during the monsoon. Travellers can enjoy the beauty of this place as well as enjoy refreshing bath in the waterfalls.

Rajamala: Rajamala will add an adventurous experience to your Munnar trip. A part of Anamudi, Kerala’s biggest hill, Rajamala boasts of amazing trekking trails. You can trek around the valley and the Anamudi range and then head to Eravikulam national park (located 3 kilometres away from Rajamala).

Eravikulam National Park: This is the most sought-after tourist destination in Munnar. The home of Nilgiri Tahr, Eravikulam National Park is also famous for its rich flora and fauna cover. A large number of rare birds, animals and butterflies can also be traced to this park. It offers a magnificent view of tea plantations and the surrounding hills caressed by a blanket of mists.

Devikulam: This is a small hill station that lies in Idukki district of Kerala with chilly air, green slopes, and low-hanging clouds over the hills. Devikulam has a large collection of waterfalls and lakes to look forward to. Another must-see place in Devikulam is the Sita Devi Lake, which is said to have medicinal benefits. For wildlife enthusiasts, this place provides a good opportunity to explore various sanctuaries for a breath-taking experience.

 

[lemurian]

Munnar must be lush green after the monsoon rains. Would be quite a treat.