Youths face legal action for uprooting Neelakurinji plants in Munnar
The cases were registered on Saturday after the individuals shared photos of the destroyed plants on Instagram.
Two youths in Munnar, India have been registered for criminal cases after allegedly uprooting Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) plants. The Forest Department of Munnar has taken the initiative after receiving reports about the youths posting photos and videos of the uprooted flowers on Instagram. The forest range in charge, DFO Abhay Yadav, mentioned that the cases were filed under the Devikulam and Munnar forest ranges.
The Neelakurinji plant is a scheduled species under the Wildlife Protection Act, and its destruction may lead to three years of imprisonment, a fine of up to ₹25,000, or both.
Botanist and Neelakurinji expert Jomy Augustine emphasized the importance of preserving this plant for future generations. He stated that Neelakurinji is a legacy inherited from our ancestors, and its protection is a collective responsibility. After blooming, the plant dies and its seeds remain dormant in the ground, taking 12 years to grow into new plants. Destroying these flowering plants could result in the death of the species in 12 years, as there would be no blooming plants left to produce seeds.
The Neelakurinji has recently flourished in the Chokramudy hills, Chinnakanal, and Korandakkad areas within the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) in Munnar. The sight of the hills carpeted in violet has attracted thousands of tourists, causing concern among the authorities. Mr. Yadav warned that large-scale destruction of these flowering plants could lead to the local extinction of Neelakurinji in these locations.
The Forest Department will take severe action against anyone found guilty of uprooting or destroying Neelakurinji plants.
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