Balsams in full bloom add to the visual treat in Munnar
Context
Balsams (genus Impatiens) are in full bloom in Munnar, providing visitors with a visual feast. The Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway’s Devikulam section is home to the little, pink flowers known locally as Kasithumba and Onappovu.
Munnar’s Balsams are in Full Bloom
- Tourists can enjoy a visual treat at Munnar right now as balsams, members of the Impatiens genus, are in full bloom.
- These tiny, pink blossoms, which are also known locally as Kasithumba and Onappovu, are a popular sight along the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway’s Devikulam section.
‘Touch-Me-Not’ Phenomenon
- Due to its distinctive trait of bursting open when its seeds mature and dispersing seeds, balsams are also known as “touch-me-not.”
Balsams as Climate Indicators
- According to botanists, Munnar’s extensive balsam flowering demonstrates the persistence of a favourable microclimate in the area.
- As a result of these plants’ ability to adapt to changing climatic conditions, they are crucial indicator species for climate change.
Indian Balsam Species
- There are 220 different species of balsam in India, and the southern Western Ghats region is home to an amazing 135 of them.
Idukki – A Balsam Paradise
- The district of Idukki is well known for the variety of balsam it contains, earning it the moniker “balsam paradise.”
- Wild balsams can be found in great variety in high mountain ranges like Anamudi in the Western Ghats and their surroundings.
Discovering New Balsam Species
- These high-altitude regions frequently see the discovery of new balsam species, including those native to the high ranges.
- Within the Periyar Tiger Reserve alone, there are more than 30 different species of balsams.
Habitat and the Cycle of Life
- Balsams often grow in isolated patches of woodland and like moist environments.
- The rainy season, which runs from June to December, coincides with their typical life cycle.
Efforts at conservation
- Many balsam species have become rare, endangered, or extinct as a result of habitat degradation.
- Balsams are actively protected in forested regions by the Forest Department.
Balsams in Munnar Landscape
- 46 different species of balsam have been documented in the Munnar region, from Munnar to Chinnar and Bison Valley.
- With more than 40 different wild species of balsams present in the Eravikulam National Park, this area is acknowledged as a significant habitat for them.
Unparalleled Balsam diversity
- Munnar is a unique global hotspot for balsam variety, with an astounding diversity of 46 kinds of balsams in the area.
