Neelakurinji-like bloom adds charm to Kudremukh Hills
Must read — 2 past UPSC questions on this theme (Mains GS-3 2018, Prelims GS-1 2023).
2-minute summary
A rare blue-violet flower resembling the famous Neelakurinji has bloomed across the trekking trails of the Kudremukh region in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka. Located in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, this natural phenomenon has triggered a surge in trekking and nature tourism. While similar mass-blooming occurred extensively during 2022–23, the current season has seen a more localized but highly attractive bloom. In response, the Karnataka Forest and Tourism Departments have issued advisories emphasizing responsible, eco-friendly tourism. Officials have warned tourists against plucking the flowers, as doing so disrupts their delicate blooming cycle, and have urged visitors to avoid littering to preserve the fragile shola-grassland ecosystem of Kudremukh.
Why it's in the news
A rare blue-violet flower resembling the Neelakurinji has bloomed in the Kudremukh hills of Karnataka, drawing tourists and prompting the state government to issue strict eco-tourism guidelines to protect the fragile Western Ghats ecosystem.
Background and context
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world's eight 'hottest hotspots' of biological diversity, are famous for unique ecological phenomena like the mass blooming of Strobilanthes species (commonly known as Neelakurinji). Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) typically blooms once every 12 years, carpetting the montane grasslands of the Shola ecosystem in blue-violet hues. Kudremukh, located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, is renowned for its Kudremukh National Park, which features a unique Shola-grassland complex. Mass blooming events attract heavy tourist footfalls, which can lead to habitat fragmentation, soil compaction, littering, and disruption of plant reproductive cycles. This highlights the ongoing policy challenge of balancing tourism-driven local economies with strict ecological conservation.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 48A — Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) directing the State to protect and improve the environment and safeguard forests and wildlife.
- Article 51A(g) — Fundamental Duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife.
Committees and reports
- Madhav Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel - WGEEP) — Recommended designating the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and suggested strict limits on tourism and development.
- K. Kasturirangan Committee (High-Level Working Group on Western Ghats) — Recommended a balanced approach, designating 37% of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) and banning highly polluting activities while allowing regulated development.
Government schemes
- Swadesh Darshan 2.0 — Focuses on developing sustainable and responsible tourism destinations, aligning with the eco-tourism guidelines needed in sensitive areas like Kudremukh.
International organisations
- UNESCO (World Heritage Convention) — Inscribed the Western Ghats as a World Heritage Site in 2012, highlighting its global significance for biodiversity conservation.
Previous UPSC questions on this theme
- Mains GS-3 2018 — How does biodiversity vary in India? How is the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 helpful in conservation of flora and fauna?
- Prelims GS-1 2023 — Consider the following statements : 1. Some mushrooms have medicinal properties. 2. Some mushrooms have psychoactive properties. 3. Some mushrooms have insecticidal properties. 4. Some mushrooms have bioluminescent properties. How many of the above statements are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four
Mains practice: The Western Ghats are facing a double-edged sword of ecological uniqueness and tourism-induced degradation. Analyze this statement in light of seasonal ecological phenomena like mass flower blooms, and suggest a sustainable management framework.
The Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, host a unique montane grassland-forest ecosystem known as the Shola-grassland complex. Seasonal mass-blooming events, such as those of the Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes species) in regions like Kudremukh and Nilgiris, showcase this ecological uniqueness but also expose these fragile landscapes to severe anthropogenic pressures.
• **Ecological Vulnerability of the Region:**
1. **Fragile Shola Ecosystem:** Shola forests and grasslands act as natural sponges, regulating water flow to major South Indian rivers. They are highly sensitive to microclimatic changes.
2. **Slow Regeneration:** Species like Neelakurinji have long, synchronized reproductive cycles (e.g., 12 years). Any disruption during the blooming phase can permanently damage local seed banks.
• **Threats from Unregulated Tourism:**
1. **Habitat Degradation:** Trampling by trekkers causes soil compaction, preventing seed germination and accelerating soil erosion.
2. **Pollution and Waste:** Increased tourist footfall leads to plastic pollution, littering, and water contamination in pristine forest streams.
3. **Invasive Species:** Tourism transport acts as a vector for invasive alien species, which outcompete endemic flora.
• **Proposed Sustainable Management Framework:**
1. **Carrying Capacity Assessment:** Establish scientific limits on the daily number of trekkers permitted in sensitive zones during blooming seasons.
2. **Community-Based Eco-Tourism:** Involve local communities (like the Soligas or local homestay owners) in managing tourism, ensuring economic benefits align with conservation incentives.
3. **Strict Zoning and Zero-Plastic Zones:** Enforce strict penalties for littering and plucking flora under the Wildlife Protection Act and local forest regulations.
4. **Digital Ticketing and Monitoring:** Use RFID tracking and pre-booked digital passes to regulate and monitor tourist movements on trekking trails.
In conclusion, preserving the ecological integrity of the Western Ghats requires transitioning from mass tourism to high-value, low-impact eco-tourism, fulfilling our constitutional mandate under Article 48A and Article 51A(g).
Prelims practice questions
Q1. With reference to the Western Ghats of India, consider the following statements: 1. The Shola forests are tropical montane forests found in the high-altitude valleys of South India. 2. Kudremukh National Park is located in the state of Kerala. 3. Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) is a shrub known for its synchronized mass blooming cycle. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B. Statement 1 is correct: Shola forests are patches of stunted tropical montane forest found in valleys separated by rolling grasslands in high-altitude areas of South India. Statement 2 is incorrect: Kudremukh National Park is located in the Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka, not Kerala. Statement 3 is correct: Neelakurinji is famous for its synchronized mass blooming, typically occurring once every 12 years.
Q2. The Madhav Gadgil Committee and the K. Kasturirangan Committee, often seen in the news, are associated with which of the following?
- Coastal Zone Regulation guidelines
- Conservation of the Western Ghats
- Inter-state river water disputes
- Reforms in the banking sector
Answer: B. Both the Madhav Gadgil Committee (WGEEP, 2011) and the K. Kasturirangan Committee (HLWG, 2013) were constituted by the Government of India to study and recommend measures for the conservation and sustainable development of the Western Ghats.
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the geographical features of Kudremukh: 1. The name 'Kudremukh' literally translates to 'horse-face', representing the shape of a prominent mountain peak. 2. The region is a major catchment area for the Tunga and Bhadra rivers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 only
- 2 only
- Both 1 and 2
- Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C. Both statements are correct. Kudremukh in Kannada means 'horse-face', named after a peak that resembles a horse's face. The Kudremukh hills also serve as an important catchment area for three major rivers: the Tunga, the Bhadra, and the Netravati.
Revision flashcards
- Where is Kudremukh National Park located? Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka, in the Western Ghats.
- What is the scientific name of Neelakurinji and what is its typical blooming cycle? Strobilanthes kunthiana; it typically blooms once every 12 years.
- What are 'Shola' forests? Tropical montane forest patches found in valleys separated by rolling grasslands in the high-altitude regions of South India.
- Which committee recommended declaring the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA)? The Madhav Gadgil Committee (Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel) in 2011.
- Which major rivers originate or have key catchments in the Kudremukh hills? The Tunga, Bhadra, and Netravati rivers.