Kurinjimala Sanctuary near Idukki

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Idukki is the biggest district of the southernmost state of the Indian Union, Kerala. This district is famous for its lush green environment, big green gardens, variety of species and the natural beauty. The district comprises of some of the favourite tourist destinations in Kerala. It comprises of many hill stations, wildlife sanctuaries and other tourist destinations. Munnar and Devikulam are two most sought after hill stations in the region.

Kurinjimala Sanctuary is one of the many sanctuaries situated in this beautiful district of Idukki. The sanctuary has been declared a protected area very recently and it will be the habitat of some very special plants and animal species. The two villages in the district which have been declared to be protected are Vattavada and Kottakamboor. These two villages comprise of the special specie Neelakurinji. This new sanctuary is situated very near to the Anamudi and Pampadum Shoal national parks and Chinnar wildlife sanctuary. The sanctuary protects an approximate area of 32 square kilometers which is considered to be the concentrated habitat of the endangered Neelakurinji plant. The two villages are situated in the Idukki district of Kerala.

Kerala Forest Minister, Mr. Benoy Viswam opened the sanctuary in Munnar during the Neelakurinji Fest on 7 October, 2006. The sanctuary is named after a very famous blue flower in Kerala, Neelakurinji. This flower is found abundantly in Idukki district and Munnar region. Kurinjimala literally means mountain where Kurinji flowers are found. The forest department organizes a Neelakurinji fest every year in the month of October.

This newly established sanctuary falls very close to the proposed Palani hills National Park to the east, Eravikulam national park and Anamudi Shola national park in the west, Chinnar wildlife sanctuary in the north, Manjapatti valley and Indira Gandhi wildlife sanctuary in the northeast and Pampadum Shola National Park in the south. Hence this sanctuary provides connectivity to a total of five sanctuaries and national parks.

The government of Kerala has been planning to ensure the protection of this bio-diversity area. The government had also been planning to maneuver this protected area into a tourist spot. Strobilanthes Kunthiana is the species which is planned to protect along with enhancing tourist attraction in the state. Hence the government of Kerala decided to exclude all the private land holdings which had titles from this sanctuary area.

This decision of the government would ensure the private players to come up with new tourist's stopovers and food joints in the sanctuary. Government has planned and decided to establish some important tourist stopovers on its own; however private players will also be encouraged to lure the tourists with their own attractions. Although the plan is in its initial stages, the establishment of the sanctuary in the area will go a long way in attracting tourists to the state of Kerala.