The Hunt for the Gold!!!

You all know that gold comes from mining but the gold that I am looking for grows as a plant in southern part of India.

Yes!! you got me right. I am hunting "Idduki gold" which is a well-known strain of marijuana. For most of you who don't know about it, This strains grown in abundance in and around the hill station name Idduki. The name Idduki gold was given to it because of its appearance.

Already excited about going to Idduki and put your hands on it? There is a bad news. You might never get it, here is why - it is not around anymore. With the population growing and forest cover soon depleting along with law enforcement becoming stricter the cultivation gradually came down in Idukki. Now, most of the plantation takes place along the Andhra-Odisha border a hotbed of naxalism. Even though there are huge plantations there is a difference between what is planted- it is not Idukki gold, but 'Sheelavathi' a local variant as it is more adapted to the region's climate. Initially, they tried to plant the original seeds but, the yield was of inferior quality forcing them to look for other viable options.

My hopes are high and tickets are booked. I will be travelling solo from Delhi but I don't mind company.