The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the State. The decision was notified under section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and amends the original 1984 notification that declared the Aralam Farm area a wildlife sanctuary. The change reflects the site’s exceptional butterfly diversity and its importance for conservation.
Key Notification and Legal Basis
The renaming was issued through SRO No. 1407/2025. It follows a recommendation of the State Board for Wildlife. The notification updates the sanctuary’s identity while retaining its protected status under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Location and Ecological Importance
Aralam Sanctuary spans about 55 sq km in Kannur district. It contains evergreen and semi-evergreen forests and shares boundaries with:
- Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka
- Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary
- North Wayanad forest division
The Cheenkanni river, which originates from the Brahmagiri ranges, flows through the sanctuary and supports its habitat. The area is also a special habitat of the Schedule I slender loris.
Butterfly Diversity and Migration
Butterfly surveys over the past 25 years have recorded exceptional species richness in Aralam. Of the 327 butterfly species found in Kerala, 266 have been identified in this sanctuary. The site is known for large-scale butterfly migration and mud-puddling. Recent observations included around 12,000 Common Albatross butterflies in five minutes and more than eight lakh Albatross butterflies on 11 January 2025. Species such as Spotted Butterfly, Buddha Mayuri, Rosy, Thalir Neeli, Okila Butterfly and Malabar Rose have also been recorded.
Conservation Significance
The renaming is intended to strengthen conservation efforts focused on protecting, propagating and sustaining butterfly species in their natural habitat. It also marks Kerala’s biodiversity-rich forest ecosystems and the growing importance of species-specific conservation models.
Last Modified: April 25, 2026