Farmers Movement Archive

On a wing and in the clear: 5 more butterfly parks in Delhi soon

NEW DELHI: Though Delhi has around 55 butterfly parks, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is creating five more gardens for the winged insects ahead of the capital’s annual butterfly month in September. Over 50 host plant species will be planted at each site to attract the lepidoptera. BNHS officials said the butterfly parks are being developed near Singhu border in association with the forest department, at Bal Bharti School in Rajinder Nagar in collaboration with the school authorities and at Narmada Apartments in Alaknanda with the help of the RWA. Two other jlocations are being identified. At Singhu border, the park will have other features like gardens, pathways, amphitheater and a gazebo. “We want to develop these butterfly parks in the monsoon and introduce the host species there so they are ready during the butterfly month in September when the counting of the species is conducted,” said a forest official. Explaining why such parks are important, Sohail Madan of BNHS said, “Habitat destruction is a common problem for wildlife across the world. In most parks, the use of chemicals and fertilisers and degrading of the environment, like removal of grass and wildflowers, have affected the population of butterflies. However, butterflies are territorial. In their adult phase, they look for mates and a plant on which to lay their eggs. So putting up host plants for common butterflies in homes, schools and gardens will help increase the lepidoptera population.” A forest official reiterated, “Butterflies lay eggs on the host plants and the caterpillars feed on the leaves of these plants. The introduction of host plants attracts butterflies, and people can help by planting these species in their garden.” Madan added that by involving residents, BNHS seeks to create a network of local people who will help in creating habitats for butterflies and work for the conservation of the environment. The locals also help in maintaining data related to sightings of species. Among the common butterflies found in Delhi are Red Pierrot, Common Jay, Tawny Coster, Plain Tiger, Lemon Pansy and Common Lime. According to BNHS, which has been organising the butterfly month in September, 69 species were observed in Delhi in 2017, increasing a year later to 75. However, in 2019, the number had declined to 66 species. The report for 2020 is still being compiled because the butterfly census was conducted across the country.

The Times of India

2021-07-13

Delhi