‘No move to reduce Kurinji acreage in Idukki’

Neelakurinji is a purplish blue flower which blooms only once in 12 years and the blossoming attracts a large number of tourists and nature enthusiasts from Kerala and outside. 

The ‘Neelakurinji Sanctuary’ is proposed in a 3,200 hectare land in Munnar, which is part of biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats.

BJP had on Saturday alleged that it was “illegal” and an attempt to “legalise encroachments.” Vijayan said the government does not intend to reduce the protected area of the sanctuary. The decision was to hold a study of the flooring area of Neelakurinji. “It is to protect and preserve Neelakurinji”, Vijayan said at a function at Cheruthonny in Idukki district. 

Apparently referring to criticism that the government planned to reduce the area, Vijayan said people who trigger controversies have their own agenda. “Government will address the anxiety of the local people about the sanctuary, he added. 

Slamming the government over the issue, Congress-led UDF Opposition on Sunday demanded that the government not destroy the sanctuary “to help encroachers’. Opposition leader in the assembly Ramesh Chennithala wrote to Vijayan, questioning the government decision to refix boundaries of the proposed sanctuary.