Tamil Nadu Forest Department Bans Access to Rare Neelakurinji Flowering Areas

Nilgiri, July 28: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has imposed a ban on public access to areas where the rare Neelakurinji flower is blooming spectacularly in parts of Gudalur. This decision comes after hundreds of tourists flocked to witness the event in recent days.

Officials have warned that the regions where these flowers bloom are environmentally sensitive and frequented by wild elephants. Unrestricted movement in these areas could pose risks to both the environment and public safety.

Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub that flowers only once every 12 years. It has bloomed in several locations, including Nadukani, Gudalur, Usimalai, and O-Valley. This rare natural phenomenon has attracted nature enthusiasts, photographers, and social media influencers, many of whom are visiting to capture images, selfies, and videos of the purple-blue flowers.

Forest officials express serious concerns regarding the sudden influx of tourists, which jeopardizes the safety of both people and wildlife. The flowering areas are located within or near forests that serve as critical habitats and corridors for elephants and other wildlife. Increased human presence can disturb these animals, harm the delicate ecosystem, and heighten the risk of human-wildlife encounters.

Ravi, the Nadukani Forest Range Officer, stated that the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change included Neelakurinji in Schedule III of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 in 2023, granting the plant legal protection. He cautioned that anyone found picking flowers or damaging plants could face up to three years in prison, a fine of ₹25,000, or both.

Officials also noted that Gudalur is one of the primary areas in Tamil Nadu where human-elephant conflicts occur, and the blooming sites are along the migratory paths of elephant herds. Despite repeated verbal warnings in recent days, many individuals continued to enter restricted areas, prompting the department to take stricter measures against violations.

The Forest Department urges the public to avoid visiting the Neelakurinji blooming sites and to respect the ecological significance of the area. They also request that local residents and tourists report any incidents of unauthorized entry, flower picking, or damage to protected plants to the Gudalur Forest Division’s toll-free helpline at 1800-425-4353.

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