Idukki Gold or Kerala Gold (also known as ''Mahadevan'' or ''Neela Chadayan'') is the name given to a

cannabis ''Cannabis'' () is a genus of flowering plants in the family Cannabaceae. The number of species within the genus is disputed. Three species may be recognized: ''Cannabis sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Alternatively ...

strain originating in Idukki in

Kerala Kerala ( ; ) is a state on the Malabar Coast of India. It was formed on 1 November 1956, following the passage of the States Reorganisation Act, by combining Malayalam-speaking regions of the erstwhile regions of Cochin, Malabar, South ...

state of

southern India South India, also known as Dakshina Bharata or Peninsular India, consists of the peninsular southern part of India. It encompasses the States and union territories of India, Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and T ...

. It is internationally renowned as one of the finest

cannabis strains ''Cannabis'' strains are either pure or hybrid varieties of the plant genus ''Cannabis'', which encompasses the species '' C. sativa'', '' C. indica'', and '' C. ruderalis''. Varieties are developed to intensify specific characteristics of the ...

in Asia.

History

The strain became popular during the '80s when various strains of cannabis landed in the area of Idukki in Kerala. The climate of the Western Ghats was ideal and the strain soon started spreading. Later, the strain received the name Idukki Gold. Known as Neelachadayan (blue locks) or Neelam in the native tongue. The strain was cultivated and first sold in various parts Kerala and Tamil Nadu. However, it soon found its way all the way to north India and many other countries.

Extinction

Throughout the years, there has been a gradual decline in its production. This is because of the continuous depletion of forests in that region due to rise in population and constant interference by law enforcement of Kerala and Tamil Nadu as the region is near to the border of both the states. Currently, the plantation occurs along the Andhra-Odisha border, an area controlled by Naxalism. However, the quality of this strain is much inferior.

References

External links

Cannabis Shop OnlineIndica vs Sativa Comparison
Cannabis strains Flora of Kerala Cannabis in India {{cannabis-stub