World · India Bureau
Walkers celebrate rare Kurinji blooms during Munnar trekking event
Enthusiasts gathered in Kerala's Munnar hills for a dedicated walkathon celebrating the flowering of the rare Kurinji plant, which blooms once every twelve years. The event drew nature lovers keen to witness the botanical phenomenon in its natural high-altitude habitat.
LSN India ·
A walkathon was organized in Munnar, the picturesque hill station in Idukki district, Kerala, to coincide with the blooming of Kurinji flowers across the Western Ghats. Participants trekked through the undulating terrain of the region to observe the rare purple flowers that carpet the hillsides during their once-in-a-dozen-years flowering cycle.
The Kurinji plant, scientifically known as Strobilanthes kunthianus, holds significant ecological and cultural importance in the Western Ghats. The flower's spectacular bloom is a major draw for botanists, ecologists, and nature enthusiasts from across India and abroad, who converge on the region to witness the phenomenon.
Munnar, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,600 meters above sea level, provides an ideal habitat for these alpine flowers. The walkathon allowed participants to traverse the scenic landscape while learning about the region's unique biodiversity and the ecological significance of the Kurinji bloom cycle.
The event underscores the growing interest in eco-tourism and wildlife conservation in Kerala's high-range areas. Such initiatives promote awareness about the region's natural heritage while encouraging sustainable tourism practices in the fragile hill ecosystem.