No reduction in Neelakurinji sanctuary area: Ker Govt ""

Kerala cabinet today made it clear that the total area of the proposed Neelakurinji sanctuary in Munnar in high range Idukki district would be 3,200 hectare as decided earlier.

"" A settlement officer would be appointed to sort out the issues connected with title deeds of persons residing within the sanctuary area and to fix legally the area of the sanctuary, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said in a facebook post after the cabinet meet here.

The sanctuary was aimed at protecting its biodiversity especially the 'Neelakurinji', a purplish blue flower which blooms only once in 12 years in Munnar.

" Though the LDF government in 2006 had declared the proposed sanctuary, no further progress was made on it due to various reasons including dispute over the boundary and areas to be included in the sanctuary.

The present government entrusted Revenue Secretary P H Kurien with the task of carrying out a study on the status of populated areas, institutions and places of worship that fall within the territory of the proposed sanctuary.

The Congress-led UDF had asked the government not to redraw boundaries of the sanctuary.

" Vijayan said it was also decided to ban the cultivation of eucalyptus, acacia and grandis trees in the sanctuary area.

" The district collector would prepare"the plan to fell all the acacia and eucalyptus trees from Vattavada, Kottakampoor, Kanthaloor, Marayour, Keezhanthoor villages.