Youths face legal action for uprooting Neelakurinji plants in Munnar

Neelakurinji flowers. (Picture for representation) The Forest department on Saturday (September 5, 2026) registered cases against two youths for allegedly destroying Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) plants in the Munnar hills. According to Munnar Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Abhay Yadav, two youths posted photos and videos on Instagram with uprooted Neelakurinji flowers.Mr. Yadav said the cases were registered under the Devikulam and Munnar forest ranges in the district. “The Forest department is trying to identify the youths and pinpoint the location where the Neelakurinji plants were uprooted. Neelakurinji is a scheduled species under the Wildlife Protection Act; destroying it can attract a prison term of up to three years, a fine of up to ₹25,000, or both,” said Mr. Yadav. Botanist and Neelakurinji expert Jomy Augustine said that Neelakurinji is an inheritance from our ancestors, and protecting these plants for future generations is our responsibility. “After flowering, the plant dies, and its seeds fall to the ground to grow into new plants that bloom after 12 years. If these flowering plants are destroyed, there will be no Neelakurinji blooming in Munnar 12 years from now. Protecting the flowering plants is critical to the survival of the species,” Dr. Augustine noted. According to the officials, Neelakurinji has bloomed across the Chokramudy hills, Chinnakanal, and Korandakkad under the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations (KDHP) in Munnar, drawing thousands of tourists to witness the hills carpeted in violet. “Thousands of people are visiting the area, and large-scale destruction will lead to the local extinction of Neelakurinji in these flowering zones. The Forest department will take stringent action against anyone who destroys or uproots the flowers,” said Mr. Yadav. Published - September 05, 2026 07:37 pm IST