About the Pappathi Chola:
- Pappathi Chola, known for its high butterfly population, derived its name from the Tamil word Pappathi meaning butterflies and Chola means shola land.
- It 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.
- Last year, the region witnessed the blooming of Neelakurinji.
- This area is covered with eucalyptus trees.
- Many butterflies reach the area during their migratory course from the rain shadow forests of Tamil Nadu back to the higher elevations of Munnar.
Key facts about Impatiens balsamina:
- It is an annual herb thought to be native to India and Myanmar.
- It is an annual, perennial or suffruticose herb, terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic.
- It has been long prescribed for the treatment of rheumatism, isthmus, generalised pain, fractures, inflammation of the nails, scurvy, carbuncles, dysentery, bruises, foot diseases, etc.
- Juice extracted from plant leaves was used to cure warts and snakebite.
