Common butterflies of the region spread wings at Coimbatore airport

It is an effort to create awareness on the need to conserve butterflies

Published - August 07, 2019 11:03 pm IST - COIMBATORE

A sticker of a common butterfly at the terminal of Coimbatore International Airport.

A sticker of a common butterfly at the terminal of Coimbatore International Airport.

Insects have little business in an airport. However, the Coimbatore International Airport is an exception where vivid hues and striking patterns of butterflies welcome passengers from Monday.

An initiative by the Airport Authority of India (AAI) and ‘Act for Butterflies’, the airport terminal sports stickers of 100 butterflies commonly seen in Coimbatore and nearby districts such as the Nilgiris.

“Besides beautifying the airport terminal with colourful stickers, this is an effort to increase awareness of butterflies and the need to conserve them. We chose stickers of 100 butterflies that are widely seen in the region, including Common banded peacock, Tamil yeoman, Tamil lacewing, Indian sunbeam and Crimson rose, to adorn the walls of the airport,” says Mohan Prasath of ‘Act for Butterflies’.

Tamil Yeoman or Tamil Maravan (Cirrochroa thais) was recently declared the State butterfly of Tamil Nadu. Common banded peacock (Papilio crino) was in the race for State butterfly.

According to Mr. Prasath, airport director R. Mahalingam proposed the idea of adorning the glass walls, cabin spaces, check-in counters and other free spaces in the terminal with stickers of butterflies.

“While pasting the stickers, several passengers asked us the reason. Some were not aware that these 100 butterflies can be spotted in Tamil Nadu. Awareness on the role of insects like butterflies and moths in the ecology is very low among the common public. The stickers are also meant to remind passengers that the butterflies are very much part of our ecosystem and they need attention in terms of conservation,” he said.

Mr. Mahalingam said that AAI chose to use stickers of butterflies in the terminal to promote the theme “Nature and Culture” of the region.

“Though these are butterflies found in the Western Ghats, many of us are not aware of their presence. The colourful stickers also give a good feeling to the passengers who come to the airport,” he said.

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