NEW DELHI: With the Big Butterfly Month-2021 to begin from September 4 with the theme of ‘habitat creation’, the focus is on setting up more butterfly hotspots within a distance of a few kilometres to provide a conducive habitat for increasing the population of the winged insects.
The steps are also being taken to strengthen the butterfly corridor and to help butterflies travel across the city. So far, 67 butterfly habitats have been created in Delhi-NCR and over 50 host species have been planted at various sites.
Experts say the population of butterflies is on the decline due to threats like use of pesticide, deweeding and ornamental gardens and hence, it is necessary to create butterfly hotspots.
In an ongoing project, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) has been creating a corridor for butterflies by planting a variety of host plants at parks and gardens in various areas of Delhi-NCR to attract butterflies.
During the month, the census of butterflies is also conducted.
“The methodology is to collect data on species and record them on an annual basis to correctly identify gaps in the corridor and apply effective interventions. The interventions done are planting of native host plants to facilitate egg laying of butterflies, augmented by already existing seasonal flowers plantation done by various civic agencies and declaration of small wild patches left in these set locations across the corridor,” said Sohail Madan from BNHS.
Data is also being collected on specific species and their ability to cross urban barriers like flyovers and six-lane roads present at some gap points. “We have observed that some bigger species of butterflies are able to cross flyovers and six-lane roads,” said Madan.
Of the total 67 butterfly habitats developed, 10 butterfly parks are in schools and colleges, while 17 butterfly parks have been established in public parks. The remaining 40 butterfly habitats have been prepared in home gardens and terrace gardens.
Experts said locals could attract butterflies in their garden at home by planting some common host species like Kadi patta, Aak or Madar, Vajradanti, Chulai, Lemon, Arandi, Patharchatta and Senna.
Anil Kapur, a member of BNHS who created a butterfly habitat in the garden of his colony, said, “We first covered the muck present in the garden with sand and soil. We planted the host species and after some months, we sighted many butterfly species.”
Plain Tiger, Common Grass Yellow, Mottled Emigrant and Common Emigrant are the common butterfly species which were sighted last year. While some rare sightings, including Dark Cerulean, Common Albatross, Striped Albatross, Common Shot Silverline and Common Mime, were also made in 2020. The butterfly month will conclude on September 30.
