The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is preparing a butterfly calendar after tribal members of eco-development committees (EDCs) recorded the features, density, nature of migration, and details of the host plants through a year-long project.
Munnar Wildlife Sanctuary Warden G.Prasad told The Hindu that the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary was host to a wide variety of butterflies due to its unique topography and climatic conditions.
The main feature noticed in the survey, conducted with the help of experts, was the migratory character of butterflies and those species exclusive to the sanctuary. The calendar would have details of areas with a high density of certain species and the seasonal presence of certain other species. Mr. Prasad said there was migration of some species from the high temperature area of Tamil Nadu to the plains of Chinnar.
“Some species appear for the breeding season and the growth of larva to full-grown butterflies was noticed by surveyors. Chinnar will be in a drought-like situation during the main rainy season in Kerala. The flowering and seeding season is different in Chinnar, which might be conducive for many butterfly species exclusive to the sanctuary,” he said. “Much hard work was involved, as the tribal members surveyed the transit route of the butterflies with much care and dedication,” Mr. Prasad said.
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary’s butterfly calendar will shed light on the species in the habitat
