Munnar, Kerala: The first signs of the rare Neelakurinji bloom have appeared in Munnar in Kerala's Idukki district, raising hopes for one of the country's most spectacular natural events later this year. The iconic wildflower, which blossoms only once every 12 years, is expected to cover the hills of the Western Ghats in shades of blue and purple by September or October, attracting thousands of tourists and nature enthusiasts.

For the indigenous Muthuvan community, the Neelakurinji bloom is more than a visual spectacle. It signals the arrival of thousands of honey bees and the beginning of the traditional wild honey harvesting season. Tribal leader say the flowering once supported their ancestors' livelihoods through the collection of rock bee honey and wild honey, a practice that still continues on a smaller scale today.

Officials expect a major increase in tourist arrivals once the flowering reaches its peak. However, the district administration is also preparing measures to regulate visitor movement and protect the fragile ecosystem of the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage region known for its rich biodiversity.