IDUKKI: For the first time neelakurinji flowers have been spotted in the low lying areas of Idukki. The flowers have been spotted in the hills of Alankupara which is part of Chakkikavu hills near Elaveezhapoonchira in Kottayam district.
Earlier, the flowering of neelakurinji (strobilanthes Kunthiana) was also spotted at the Alumkappara hills near Moolamattam in Thodupuzha. The area lies along the border between Kottayam-Idukki districts and close to Elaveezhapoonchira.
“Neelakurinji, which blooms once in 12 years, is considered the pride of Munnar hills. Now it presents the chances of it spreading to the hills bordering with Kottayam district too,” said officials.
Alunkapara is at an altitude of 900 metres high and it can be accessed through difficult terrain from Choondikulam Nirappu on Mechal route from Chakkikavu.
Pala St Thomas College botany department professor and neelakurinji expert Jomy Augustine told TOI that normally neelakurinji blossom in areas at an altitude of 1,200 meters. "The height of the hills where now neelakurinji flowers were found is only 800 to 900 meters.
It is for the first time neelakurinji is found blossoming in such low lying areas. I will visit the area and conduct a detailed study within two days," said Augustine.
“We need to conduct more study in the area. If the flowers cover the entire hill, then the area should be protected," said Eravikulam national park assistant and wildlife warden Job J Neriamparampil.
It was a Class IX student and a local resident Kozhimalakkunnel Rahul who took the photograph of neelakurinji at Alunkapara that caught the public's attention.In July, isolated flowering of neelakurinji was witnessed at Shalomkunnu, Kizhakkathi and Puttady hills under Shantanpara panchayats in Idukki.
In the past year Pushpakandam Anakkara Mettu hills in the Western Ghats bordering Tamil Nadu and Puttady near Munnar have witnessed isolated flowering of neelakurinji.
