Nilgiri lily faces decline, needs special care: Experts

Nilgiris: The rare Nilgiri lily (Lilium wallichianum var. neilgherrense), found only in the Western Ghats, is now on the verge of decline, according to experts. They are urging the government to declare it the “district flower” of the Nilgiris so that it can be saved from extinction.

According to Tarun Chhabra, an expert on the Toda community of the Nilgiris, the lily is most striking during late August, at the end of the monsoon. Locally, the Todas call it pehnapoof, which means “golden flower.” The name may also connect it to the prehistoric stone circles, known as pehn, found in the region.The Nilgiri lily is unique because it grows only in the Nilgiris and the Palani hills. However, it flowers for just about three weeks and only on a few remote hilltops. This makes it rare to spot, and many locals do not even know the plant exists.

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Dr. Chhabra points out that no detailed survey has been done to track its population. Ecologists warn that cattle grazing, climate change, and invasive plant species are major threats. They believe the number of Nilgiri lilies has dropped sharply over the past decades. Experts say it needs recognition, which could create awareness and help in its conservation efforts.