24-05-2025
Kozhikode gets official flower, bird, animal and tree
Melastoma malabathricum (Athirani) has been designated the official flower of Kozhikode district.
While Ceyx erithaca (Meniponman) is the official bird, Pachliopta pandiyana (Malabar rose) is the official butterfly. Hopea erosa (Theyyakam) is the official tree, Cycas circinalis (Eenthu) the official heritage tree, Lutrogale perspicillata (Otter) the official aquatic animal, Pangio bhujia (Pathala Poontharakan) the official fish, and Manis crassicaudata (Indian Pangolin) the official animal.
The announcements were made at an online event by Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran on Saturday. According to a release, this is the first such declaration after a popular study. It followed the constitution of expert committees and studies by biodiversity management committees at the local level which collected opinion from the people.
The project was included in the 2024-25 Annual Plan of the Kozhikode district panchayat. The final list was prepared by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board.
