Centre seeks NGT order compelling states to plan Neelakurinji conservation

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) with a request to direct state governments to formulate and submit annual operational plans for the conservation of Neelakurinji.

Neelakurinji, a rare flowering plant species endemic to the Western Ghats region, blooms once every 12 years and holds significant ecological and cultural importance. The plant is particularly prevalent in the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu and adjacent areas of Karnataka and Kerala. Conservation efforts have gained momentum in recent years as the species faces habitat loss and environmental pressures.

The ministry's petition seeks to establish a structured framework for conservation activities at the state level, with regular monitoring and reporting mechanisms. By requiring states to submit detailed annual operational plans, the MoEFCC aims to ensure coordinated and systematic efforts toward protecting the species and its natural habitat across the Western Ghats region.

The NGT's intervention is expected to strengthen regulatory oversight and accountability in Neelakurinji conservation programs. State forest departments would be mandated to outline specific strategies, resource allocation, and timelines for habitat restoration and species protection in their respective jurisdictions.

The move reflects growing government focus on protecting India's endemic flora and implementing the recommendations of environmental assessments conducted in the Western Ghats region.