A garden full of butterflies of myriad hues fluttering around. This isn’t a beautiful dream or magical realism. It could be for real, thanks to the efforts of Tree Walk, a forum of nature lovers.
The group has initiated a project to have a butterfly garden on the premises of the State Central Library (Public Library). “Last year when a few trees on the campus were cut down to construct a new building, we were given a promise that the loss would be compensated. We suggested a butterfly garden. We are making use of the limited space with the permission of the Library. Basically, the project involves planting those trees and plants that attract butterflies. Butterflies are good indicators of minor changes and fluctuations in the environment surrounding them and an environment, especially urban environment in which butterflies are commonly seen reveal that it is good and healthy for human habitation too. Hence a butterfly garden provides a free and natural means to monitor the health of the world,” says Anitha S., coordinator of Tree Walk.
Tree Walk will plant a select variety of plants that are either food or larval plants for specific butterfly species. In fact a study done by Kalesh Sadasivan of the Travancore Natural History Society in 2012 in the city shows that there are 140 species of butterflies here. Also, a study conducted on the Attakulangara Central High School campus in April this year recorded 25 species of butterflies.
Resource persons for the project are renowned wildlife photographer Suresh Elamon and C. Sushanth of Warblers and Waders.
“Butterflies see more colours than we do. They seem to prefer red, orange, yellow, pink, purple and white,” says Suresh Elamon.
Some plants that attract butterflies are Clerodendron paniculatum (Krishna kireedom) , Gomphrena globosa (vadamalli) , Caesalpinia pulcherrima (rajamalli) , shoe flower, Rosy periwinkle (shavamnaari) , Murraya koenigi (kariveppu) , Nerium oleander (arali), Curcuma aromatica (kasthuri manjal) and Cassia fistula (kanikonna).
Tree Walk’s planting programme begins on September 20 at 8 a.m . on the Library premises. Contact: 9447078113.
