In the Munnar hills, widespread destruction of Neelakurinji was reported

Photo posted on social media by a tourist sitting inside Neelakurininji Plantation in Munnar | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Rampant destruction of Neelakurinji flowers in unprotected areas by tourists poses a serious threat to the biodiversity of Munnar. According to forest department officials, Neelakurinji has blossomed across Chinnakkanal, Lakshmi, Pallivasal and nearby hills this year. Regulated visitor entry has been allowed at Chokramud Hills near Devikulam by the forest department, while Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) has allowed access at Korandakkad near Mattupetta, with both authorities protecting plants in these designated zones.

However, officials noted that travel vloggers are tagging unprotected sites and posting footage on social media. Under the influence of these videos, large groups of tourists walk through unregulated hills, trampling flowers and uprooting plants. Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abhay Yadav noted that despite enforcement efforts, destruction and uprooting of rare species continues across the hills.

Senthil Kumar. M., managing director of Kestrel Adventures and organizer of the Munnar Marathon, said that nearly 500 tourists went to Lakshmi Hills in the early hours of last Sunday to view the flowers. “Some visitors trampled plants, danced among flowers and even slept in bushes to take photos and videos for Instagram. These tourists arrived after watching the vlogs,” Mr Kumar said. “There is also active movement of wild elephants and other wild animals on these hills. If there is an animal attack or an accident here, it will seriously damage the tourism sector of Munnar.”

He warned that uncontrolled access to unrestricted areas could completely wipe out the local population of Neelakurinji. “The tourism stakeholders are not against visitors viewing Neelakurinji. Our demand is simply that the authorities protect the flowering areas so that the plants survive the next cycle,” he added. Forest officials stressed that the extensive damage calls for immediate regulatory action to protect these vulnerable habitats and preserve the region’s fragile ecosystem.

Published – 22 Sep 2026 20:14 IST