The indigenous tribesmen on the Western Ghats calculate their age with the advent of Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This year, when the hill ranges in the Nilgiris and Munnar turn blue, the Muthuvar tribesmen will add 12 years to their age. The indigenous tribesmen on the Western Ghats calculate their age with the advent of Neelakurinji, which blooms every 12 years. Waiting for the rare spectacle are tour operators and tourists too.
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus kunthianus) flourishes as a gregarious shrub at an altitude of around 1,600 metres, in the mountain ranges bordering Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Though the sight of mountains covered with blue flowers is a treat not to be missed, conservationists are wary of the army of expected visitors.
Idukki district administration, forest and tourism departments are joining forces ahead of the season of blue flowers. Though the unprecedented influx of visitors to the eco-sensitive hill ranges is a cause of concern, authorities hope that tourists can be made aware of the rarity of the exotic plant and the significance of the endangered flora and fauna in the vicinity.
"It's a treat of a life time. Many may not live to see another season of Neelakurinji. I will not be in service then. So we have to welcome tourists and let them savour the scene. But considering the eco-sensitivity of the area we have to regulate visitors. But awareness is the buzzword," Munnar wildlife warden Roy P Thomas told DNA. But there are words of caution. "Bookings to Munnar were started a year ago for Neelakurinji season. Many of the travellers go to Munnar to get drunk. And once they are drunk, we can't expect them to be eco-sensitive. They are dangerous not only for the flowers, but for all the rare flora and fauna," E Kunjikrishnan, professor of zoology at University College, said.
Certain areas will be out of bounds for the tourist. Travellers are not allowed beyond the tourism zones in Eravikulam National Park. Neelakurinji has already started blooming in certain areas. Throughout September and October, the hills will be donned with the blue flowers.
"We are expecting 5-6 lakh visitors on the hill ranges this season. We have a strategic plan ready to cope with the crowd. We had a couple of meetings in this regard. Forest minister Binoy Viswam attended the first meeting to discuss the contingency plan to streamline visitors," Thomas said.
"We will ply more buses to the park while regulating big vehicles. Parking space will be provided in the valley. Our strategy is three pronged: To cater to the visitors' needs, make them aware of the rarity of the ecosystem and strictly enforce law. We are well prepared to welcome the guests with open hands," he added.
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