Kurinjimala Sanctuary

Kurinjimala Sanctuary protects the approximately 32 hectare core habitat of the endangered Neelakurinji plant in the Kottakamboor and Vattavada villages in Devikulam Taluk, in the Idukki district of Kerala, a state in southern India.

[3] The sanctuary was declared by the Kerala Forest Minister Benoy Viswam at the Neelakurinji Fest at Munnar on 7 October 2006.

[4] The Government notification said that the sanctuary would ensure the long-term protection of the unique biodiversity of the area, especially Strobilanthes kunthiana and its habitat.

[5][6] The Indian martial art of Silambam, known to be practiced by the Tamil people, originated in the Kurinji hills.

[7] The silambam staff is known as neduvadi in Kerala, dhanta varisai in Karnataka, and karra saamu in Andhra Pradesh.