Chokramudy in Keralam shakes off encroachments, welcomes Neelakurinji

In August 2024, a section of the Chokramudy hills under the Bison Valley panchayat made headlines following large-scale encroachment and illegal constructions on government land. Today, those very slopes — once targeted by land grabbers — are witnessing a fresh bloom of the famed Neelakurinji flowers.

Following reports of encroachment in 2024, local people in Bison Valley had formed the Chokramudy Protection Council and launched widespread protests, resulting in the government reclaiming most of the land. Byju C.B., a member of the council, says that the reclaimed hills are now seeing a revival of the Neelakurinji. “We expect the hills to be fully covered with flowers soon. The council members will visit shortly to inspect the blooming. The hills are flowering again because of the tireless protests waged by the local people to save this fragile ecosystem,” he said.