HOTSPOTS OF WORLD WESTERN GHATS BIO-DIVERSITY IN INDIA

The Kurinji flowers has become a symbol for the bio-diversity of the Western Ghats, which has been declared one of the 18 "Hotspots" of the world

Kurinji is the legendary blue and white flowers of the Western Ghats is said to have given its name to Nilgiris (the blue hills around Ooty in Tamil Nadu and Wynad district in Kerala )and the plant itself is an indicator of the health of the ecosystem.

Flowering in the wilder hills areas of the Weestern Ghats . Sahyadri ranges and Koodaikanal mountains in high altitudes of about 1600 metres, the flower is exclusive to India and some species are known to flower once in twelve years.

It is a gregarious shrub in the family of Acathancea of the sub species of strobilanthes group . The more important and famous among them is "Neela kurinji " or "Blue Flower ". "strobilanthes kunthiranus "

The Kurinji plant occurs on the dry slopes and in gorges of the eastern side of the hills, where there is little or no tree forest. It is tall bushy shrub ,sometimes eight to ten feet high, and is covered with a profusion of bright blue bell-like flowers. All of them have a periodicity from eight to 12 years.After blossoming ,the plant wilts.

The last blooming was recorded in 2006. The occasion of blooming attracts tourists from all over the world.

It is said that in and around munnar , the tribals , a majority of them Muduvas, calculate their age with the flowering kurinji. It is also believed that it has medicinal properyies and is recognized in the ayurveda system.

Systematic record of its blooming has been kept since 1838 although Kurinji flower was first mentioned in the Tamil Sangam cassics of 3-5 A.D, such as Akananuru ,Purananuru and Madurai Kanchi. The plant is referred as "karungal Kurinji ".meanibg the black-stemmed flower. When Kurinji is in bloom ,the honey gathered from the vicinity is said to be of special values. Legendhas it that Murugan, the lord of Kurinji land ,put a garland of Kurinji flowers when he married Valli. One poet praises a king as " the one whorules over a country where the Kurinji honey is in plenty ". It's true that when Kurinji is in full bloom, the entire surrounding seems to pulsate under a bluish haze. And it is in the Kurinji land that both Vaigai and Amaravathi rivers originate.

The pressures of development has led to cutting of forest leading to the shrinkage of green cover in thr area . The home of Kurinji , which had remained inviolate so far, has suffered damages in the last 100 years. Forests have been cleared for plantations and for timber. introduction of some alien plant species have also affected the eco system. There is urgent need to protect what is left of this beautiful flowing plant. Which has been pusehed into remote and inaccessible forests, hills slopes and gorges. Several ' Save Kurinji ' campaign have been organized to protect this wounderful plant

View of Warana catchment from Rundiv Chandoli National park , Maharashtra