G. Rajkumar among Neelakurinji flowers in Munnar.
G. Rajkumar, a bank employee turned environmentalist and driving force behind the Save Kurinji campaign, died in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday morning. He was 70.
Affectionately known as ‘Kurinji Rajkumar’, he consistently shunned the limelight and let his quiet but determined activism speak for itself. His efforts were instrumental in creating public awareness for the conservation of Strobilanthes kunthiana, popularly known as Neelakurinji.
Naturalist and photographer Suresh Elamon recalled the origins of Mr. Rajkumar’s lifelong commitment to the flower. In September 1982, Mr. Rajkumar came to know that Neelakurinji was blooming across the hills from Munnar to Kodaikanal.
Neelakurinji blooms in the hills of Munnars in the 1980s. The photo was taken by naturalist and photographer Suresh Elamon. | Photo Credit: SURESH ELAMON
“He visited the region, came back and briefed us,” Mr Elamon said. “Later, Rajkumar, myself, well-known environmentalist and MLA KV Surendranath, and Velayudhan Pillai – husband of poet Sugathakumari – started from Kodaikanal. We walked through Clavara and Poonda hills in Tamil Nadu to reach Munnar.”
This expedition laid the foundation for the Save Kurinji campaign, which was launched at a time when the ecological importance of Neelakurinji and its fragile grassland ecosystem was largely unknown.
“Rajkumar clearly understood the importance of Kurinji and was determined to protect it. This belief led to the creation of the campaign,” Elamon said. “Today, Neelakurinji is an icon of both tourism and environmental protection.”
Writer and journalist MJ Babu noted that the findings of the campaign had a lasting cultural impact. The renowned poetess Sugathakumari, inspired by the accounts of this wandering, went on to write her famous poem Kurinji Pookkal.’
“Rajkumar served as the coordinator of the Save Kurinji Campaign Council. What started with this trek has evolved into one of the most significant environmental movements in the region,” said Mr. Babu.
When the Tamil Nadu authorities refused permission for further treks, Mr. Rajkumar redirected his efforts to the Munnar hills and organized awareness campaigns during successive flowering seasons from 1994 to 2006.
His life was related on October 6, 2006 when Chief Minister Binoy Viswam announced the establishment of 32-SQ.KM Nelakurinji Sanctuary in Kotttakamboor-Vattavada area.
“Rajkumar’s life was filled with these flowers,” Mr. Elamon recalled. “We worked together at the State Bank of Travancore in Thiruvananthapuram. He was overjoyed when the sanctuary was announced – it was the culmination of his life’s work.”
A retired employee of the State Bank of Travancore, Mr Rajkumar is survived by his wife Indiarammal and son Surya. His elder son Kiran predeceased him. The funeral will be held at Santhikavadam, Thycaud, in Thiruvananthapuram, on Thursday at 10.30 am
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Published – 15 Jan 2026 0:32 IST
