Delhi, often noted for its ever-grow urbanization and air pollution, is now under the transformative phase of becoming a greenspace, particularly focused on creating butterfly corridors. This development has become possible due to the remarkable efforts of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), which recently reported its venture of creating approximately 100 hotspots for butterflies across the city.
The Emergence of Butterfly Hotspots
The BNHS initiative has already resulted in the creation of 17 butterfly parks or gardens over the past few years. These hotspots are strategic locations where a variety of host plants are grown to attract and accommodate more butterflies. Some of these gardens already have native trees and plant species that provide an inviting habitat to the butterfly population. However, additional plantation is being carried out to foster more diverse species and ensure their sustained availability in the area.
Bridging Butterfly Corridors
One of the noteworthy aspects of this initiative is the emphasis on creating green corridors. The hypothesis behind this concept is straightforward – the closer the green areas are, the easier it becomes for butterflies to move from one habitat to another. The Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and the Garden of Five Senses serve as perfect examples of this concept, having generated a large butterfly garden that facilitates easy butterfly movement.
Butterfly Month and Species Count
In September 2017, Delhi observed its first butterfly month, organized by the BNHS and Delhi forest department. This led to a record count of butterfly species in the region. A year later, in 2018, 75 species were recorded thriving in both urban areas and forested locations. The common redeye, dingy swift, common blue line, common short silverline, Balkan pierrot, and spotted pierrot were among the rare species recorded.
| Year | No. of Species Recorded |
|---|---|
| 2017 | Record species count |
| 2018 | 75 species |
The Importance of Native Plantation
A crucial finding from the initial survey was the low diversity of butterfly species at parks that primarily included ornamental and exotic plants. In contrast, areas like the Ridge that harbor native plant and tree species demonstrated a higher diversity in butterfly species. This highlights the importance of promoting native vegetation to attract a broad spectrum of butterfly species.
About the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)
Established in 1883, The BNHS is a pan-India wildlife research organization that has been relentlessly working towards the cause of nature conservation. Guided by its mission of conserving nature, primarily biological diversity through action-oriented research, education, and public awareness, the BNHS envisions becoming a premier independent scientific organization that excels in conserving threatened species and habitats.
