The Aryavarth Express
Idukki (Kerala), February 13: The Bison Valley in Idukki has turned into a golden spectacle as 40 acres of sunflowers bloom, attracting hundreds of visitors to the high ranges. The vibrant floral display has quickly become a major tourist attraction, offering breathtaking views across the district
Jijo Joseph Puthenveettil, a farming enthusiast with a long-standing love for flowers, began planting colorful flowering plants along roadsides. Many paddy fields in the region had been left fallow due to a shortage of laborers, prompting Jijo to lease a field in Muttukadu and experiment with sunflower cultivation. Following the success of the initial trial, he expanded the farm to one acre of his own land near Bison Valley.
Initially, sunflower seeds were sourced from Tamil Nadu, but due to unavailability this season, seeds were procured from Karnataka. The garden is now open to the public, with tourists visiting daily to enjoy the blooms and take photographs.
In addition to the sunflower fields, Jijo’s collection of 24 bamboo varieties, planted over the last 15 years, now towers across the area, providing shade and enhancing the scenic beauty.
Idukki, one of Kerala’s 14 districts, is renowned for its mountainous terrain, dense forests, and hydropower projects, which supply about 66 percent of the state’s electricity. Covering a large area in the Western Ghats, Idukki has low population density, vast forest reserves, and is known as Kerala’s spice garden.
