Neelakurinji- the rare purplish blue flowers which bloom only once in twelve years is all set to paint parts of the Western Ghats blue next year. Munnar is gearing up for the blooming season and the Kerala government is making elaborate arrangements for tourists flocking to the high range to catch a glimpse of the flowers.

At least eight lakh tourists are expected to visit Munnar in Idukki district, located in the biodiversity hotspot of Western Ghats during July-October months next year to witness the blossoming of the beautiful flowers. A large number of tourists and nature enthusiasts from outside the state are expected.

A high-level meeting presided by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was held to carry out adequate preparations and precautionary measures to accommodate tourists and protect Eravikulam National Park, a major Neelakurinji hotspot located eight km away from Munnar town.

Some regulatory measures were also discussed at the meeting like a ban on plastic bottles and carry bags to keep the place plastic free. Arrangements would be made to get roads repaired, more sanitation facilities would be constructed and street vendors would be regulated considering the tourists turn out.

He added that a study on the expected inflow of tourist vehicles during the period would be carried out by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC). More buses would be deployed to transport tourists to Ervikulam Park. The CM added that coordination committees would be formed to look into the timely completion of the arrangements.