Sonia Martin, a chartered accountant and nature lover, went with all enthusiasm to Swami Malai hills, adjacent to Kumaraswamy temple in Sandur taluk, to catch a glimpse of the purple coloured “Neela Kurinji” flowers ( Strobilanthes kunthianus ), which blooms once in 12 years, only to be disappointed.
Contrary to what she had heard and seen in the photographs published in newspapers, only a few plants were in bloom here and there.
Like her, many nature lovers, who have been visiting the hills over the past week, are a disappointed lot.
“It was very disappointing. I came all the way from Ballari after reading about the Neela Kunrinji bloom decking the hill. On reaching here, I was shocked to see only the plants. Though disappointed, I draw satisfaction from seeing patches of bloom here and there,” Ms. Martin told The Hindu .
A fortnight ago, "Neela Kurinji" flowers in full boom had decked the Swami Malai hills in Sandur taluk.
A fortnight ago, when this correspondent visited the place on Devagiri Road, adjacent to Kumaraswamy temple, the “Neela Kurinji” flowers were in full bloom. There were reports about patches of these flowers in bloom in a couple of more places in Ramanamalai hills.
Enquiries revealed that lot of people visited the place near Kumaraswamy temple, which is easily accessible, during September.
It is suspected that the visitors might have taken away the plants, either to show them to their friends and relatives or plant it in their garden. As a result, a patch of “Neela Kurinji” plants might have vanished from the site. However, the plants with “Neela Kurinji” flowers can be seen in places that have no accessibility.
Chidambar Nanavate, amateur photographer and nature lover, has put up a flex giving details of “Neela Kurinji”, explaining the biodiversity of the valleys in Sandur and requesting visitors to enjoy the beauty of nature and not to pluck the flowers or plants. However, his efforts to protect the rare plants appear to have gone in vain.
