Meeshapulimala Hills Open For Tourists Following Rare Neelakurinji Bloom

Meeshapulimala peak in Munnar is opening to tourists starting Monday, October 26, following the rare blooming of Neelakurinji flowers at high altitudes. The Kerala Forest Development Corporation manages the area and has arranged a special Kurinji trek for visitors.

Travel And Bookings

KFDC Munnar Manager Akhil Das said visitors can book a thirty-kilometre journey from Munnar to Meeshapulimala in specially arranged multi-utility vehicles for a fare of twelve hundred fifty rupees per person. The package includes pick-up from the Munnar KFDC office along with a snack box and drinking water. KFDC District Manager Sujith P.K. stated that the corporation launched the Kurinji mobile application in association with the Wildlife Trust of India for direct online slot bookings and payments. Officials noted that the app helps users find locations and travel details easily.

Nature And Conservation

Botanist Dr. Jomy Augustine explained that Neelakurinji does not normally bloom above twenty-five hundred metres, making this high-altitude flowering very special. He added that there were earlier concerns about delayed flowering due to the El Nino effect and monsoon changes, but the blooms have finally appeared on slopes around the Rhodo Mansion property situated at an elevation of twenty-four hundred seventy metres. Alongside the flowers, visitors can spot the endangered Nilgiri tahr. Authorities have capped daily visitors at seven-five-zero to protect the environment of the hills. Previous flowering seasons recently concluded at Chokramudy and Korandakkad, while the next season in Munnar is expected at Eravikulam National Park in 2030. Devikulam Sub-Collector V.M. Arya officially inaugurated the current season on Saturday.

Context

Neelakurinji is a shrub native to the shola forests of the Western Ghats in Southern India that is famous for flowering only once every several years. The blooming cycles draw large numbers of nature enthusiasts and tourists to hill stations like Munnar to witness the purple-blue mountain slopes. Protecting these fragile high-altitude ecosystems requires strict visitor limits and careful management by forest authorities.