Neelakurinji officially becomes a ‘threatened species’.
Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) has been included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) official Red List of threatened species.
This is the first-ever Global Red List assessment for this flagship species.
Neelakurinji blooms once in 12 years. The mass blooming of the flower is a huge tourist attraction.
As per the latest global assessment, it has threatened status in the Vulnerable (Criteria A2c) category of the IUCN.
Strobilanthes kunthiana is an endemic shrub of three meters in height. It is found in high-altitude shola grassland ecosystems.
Neelakurinji is threatened mainly due to conversion for tea and softwood plantations, and urbanization.
Almost 40% of the habitat of Neelakurinji has been lost, and the remaining is under pressure from the invasion of exotic species such as eucalyptus and black wattle.
The actual area of occupancy of Neelakurinji is 220 sq km. This species has 34 subpopulations within 14 ecoregions of the high-altitude mountain ranges.
