Picture from Tour of Nilgiris 2008 - Day 4 by Prashanth Kota
The neela kurinji grows in the upper Nilgiri Mountains. The blue bell shaped flower blooms once in 12 years, packed densely like a carpet across the mountains, giving the Nilgiris their name: The Blue Mountains. The kurinji is so special that even the honey during the blooming period of the flower has a much sought after taste. There’s no question about it: The Nilgiris are a unique place to cycle through.
You may not be lucky to see the kurinji this year, but there is plenty more waiting for you. Anthropologists and naturalists have always considered the Nilgiri Mountains unique. The area was untouched until the early 19th century when it became a British colony. It was the British who introduced “English” vegetables, coffee and encouraged tea plantation in the area. Today, the Nilgiri Mountains have 600 sq km of tea plantations, making it the second largest tea producing area in the country. So cycle slowly, savour the air of the tea estates, enjoy the pretty tramlines they cut across the mountains. And stop by at the local teashops for a hot cup of freshly brewed chai.
Picture from Tour of Nilgiris 2008 - Day 4 by Prashanth Kota
The Indian National Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme committee has designated the Nilgiri’s Biosphere as a protected reserve. The shoals of the Nilgiri’s Biosphere Reserve are rich in plant diversity, supporting about 3,300 species. Some of the plants are entirely restricted to the Nilgiri’s Biosphere Reserve and include species of Blue Sonki, Calacanthus or Sahchar, and Frerea Indica. With adequate practice, you can identify all of them. But easier to spot will be the teak trees and the lush pepper vines.
The indigenous people in this area, Todas, Kotas, Kurumbas, Irulas, Paniyas and Kattunayakas, who have preserved their culture and way of life since 1200 B.C, use the plants for traditional medicines. Studies have shown that there are about 2,700 therapeutic plants in the region.
The fauna of the Nilgiris includes over a 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians, 300 species of butterflies and innumerable insects and creepy crawlies. Doubtless, you will meet them on the tour.
You may also bump into elephants (well, we hope you don’t actually bump into them), the gaur, bears, deer, the Nilgiri langur, the Lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri tahr, an endemic mountain goat, the rare Brown palm civet, Brown mongoose and Nilgiri marten along with Malabar squirrels, bats and rodents who are the most ancient residents of the region.
In the Nilgiris, we suggest you take it easy. Enjoy the ride. Soak in the sounds. Absorb the colours. Delight in the fresh aroma of burgeoning plant life. Let the mist settle on your skin. You may not come by this way again.
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