Officials Flag Concerns Over Tourists Destroying Neelakurinji Blooms

Gist Unregulated tourism driven by social media is causing the rampant destruction of rare Neelakurinji blooms in the unprotected hills of Munnar, Kerala . Tourists are bypassing regulated zones to trek into unprotected areas, trampling and uprooting these ecologically sensitive plants for photographs. This development highlights the growing conflict between digital-era tourism and biodiversity conservation, raising concerns about the potential local extinction of the species. Background To safeguard the rare Neelakurinji plants, local authorities have established designated zones where visitor entry is strictly regulated. The Forest Department manages access at Chokramudy hills near Devikulam , while the Kanan Devan Hills Plantations oversees entry at Korandakkad near Mattupetty . However, the blooming is not confined to these safe zones; flowers have also appeared across adjacent, unguarded ranges, creating a vulnerable periphery that lacks dedicated enforcement infrastructure. Key Pointers Social Media as a Threat Multiplier: Travel vloggers pinpointing exact unprotected locations have led to a sudden influx of unguided tourist groups, bypassing regulated areas and overwhelming delicate habitats. Physical Degradation: Visitors seeking content for social media platforms are actively destroying the ecosystem…