Pappathi Chola

There is an urgent need to protect Pappathi Chola, a biodiversity hotspot.

Pappathi Chola, known for its high butterfly population, derived its name from the Tamil word Pappathi meaning butterflies.
While Pappathi means butterfly, Chola means shola land.
Many butterflies reach the area during their migratory course from the rain shadow forests of Tamil Nadu back to the higher elevations of Munnar.
Pappathi Chola is also regarded as a hub of balsams (Impatiens balsamina) and rare varieties of orchids.
It is located right in the middle of the Chathurangappara hills and Mathikettan shola and last year; the region witnessed the blooming of Neelakurinji.
The Pappathi Chola area is covered with eucalyptus trees.

Biodiversity Hotspots

Biodiversity hotspots are regions that are exceptionally rich in biodiversity and contain numerous endemic species.

According to Conservation International, a region must fulfill the following two criteria to qualify as a hotspot:
1. The region should have at least 1500 species of vascular plants i.e., it should have a high degree of endemism.
2. It must contain 30% (or less) of its original habitat, i.e. it must be threatened.
Following the criteria must for an area to be declared as Biodiversity Hotspot, there are major four biodiversity hotspots in India:
1. The Himalayas
2. Indo-Burma Region
3. The Western Ghats
4. Sundaland
The Western Ghats, located along the western coast, and the Eastern Himalayas are two prominent biodiversity hotspots in India.
The Western Ghats are known for their diverse habitats and endemic species of plants, birds, and amphibians.
The Eastern Himalayas, spanning across northeastern states, harbor a wide range of flora and fauna in alpine meadows, subtropical forests, and montane rainforests.

Impatiens balsamina

It is commonly known as balsam, is a species of plant native to India and Myanmar.
Different parts of the plant are used as traditional remedies for disease and skin afflictions.
Juice from the leaves is used to treat warts and snakebite, and the flower is applied to burns.
This species has been used as indigenous traditional medicine in Asia for rheumatism, fractures, and other ailments.

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