Climate Change Is Making Rare Brahmakamal Flowers Bloom In Uttarakhand In Off-Season

Brahmakamal flowers or sacred lotus, rare and revered flowers of the Himalayas that bloom from August to mid-September, have started blooming again in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district due to climate change.

The flowers usually bloom after sunset and just once a year. But in the upper areas of the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand, they have continued to bloom in large numbers around Nandikund even in October.

According to experts, changing weather patterns are the likely cause of why the rare flowers that grow at elevations between 3500-3800 metres, are blooming in the off-season.

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#WATCH Uttarakhand: Brahma Kamal flowers begin blooming in Rudraprayag. pic.twitter.com/dLLcyVweEe

¡ª ANI (@ANI) October 10, 2020

Chamoli's district's low tourist activity this year, coupled with lack of pollution may have led to the flowers being seen in lower altitudes recently, reported TOI.

Due to no human movement in Bugya areas, the exploitation of Brahmakamals has lessened. It may also result in good yields of Brahmakamal in the future as well," said Amit Kanwar, Division Forest officer of the Kedarnath Forest Division.

The Brahmakamal flower, known by its scientific name Saussurea Obvallata, is offered in many holy shrines like Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Tunganth. It also finds mention in the scriptures and is of significant importance in the Hindu religion.

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The name of the flower can be translated to 'The Lotus of Brahma'. The flower is native to the Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. In the Himalayas, it can be found at an altitude of 4,500 metres.

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Brahmakamal is considered a medicinal herb. It is used to treat liver infections, sexually transmitted diseases, bone pains, cold and cough.