The sprawling 625 acres of Indira Gandhi Zoological Park has been witnessing a flurry of activities. And for a change, it's not just the picnickers who are keeping the zoo staff engaged. Post pandemic, Visakhapatnam zoo has introduced a series of public engagement programmes to promote zoo as a conservation education centre. In November it kick-started its guided bird watching walks. The programme was an instant hit with the small teams of participants who not only got a glimpse of the ornithological delights of the region, but also went home armed with information on the over 100 species of birds in its free-range.
This month, IGZP introduced its butterfly walks at its Butterfly Park zone. Set up in May 2014, the Butterfly Park at the zoo has more than 60 species of butterflies.
- The Butterfly Park was inaugurated in May 2014.
- Spread over little less than an acre of land, it was built at the cost of ₹ 20 lakh.
Significantly, it also houses the rare Crimson Rose and Danaid Eggfly, which are legally protected in India under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. In the past, the successful breeding of these two species was well documented by the zoo staff. The guided tour is hosted by butterfly park assistant B Divya Jyothi to let the people watch and understand the life cycle of the winged species.
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh : 18/05/2016: A pair of crimson rose butterflies resting on a plant at the Butterfly Park at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park in Visakhapatnam on May 18, 2016 that will reopen on Thursday after the park was destroyed during the Cyclone Hudhud in October 2014. Photo: K.R. Deepak
“Butterflies are seen from an aesthetic point of view by most people. Very few understand the significance of the species. Through like butterfly walks we want to highlight its importance and in the process continue the documentation of the butterfly species of the region,” says zoo curator Nandani Salaria. Covered with mesh, the Butterfly Park was recently renovated to include more pollinator, nectar and host plants. “The Murraya paniculata (curry leaves) plant is the main host plant in which many butterflies lay eggs,” explains Salaria. The lantana, jatropa, cuphea, rose moss, blue morning glory plant, Egyptian cluster plant serve as the nectar source plants.
- Tailed Jay
- Blue Mormon
- Lime
- Tawny Caster
- Tiny Grass Blue
- Striped Tiger
- Common Rose
- Crimson Rose
- Danaid Eggfly
India boasts of around 1,500 species of butterflies, of which nearly 153 are recorded in Andhra Pradesh alone. To serve the purpose of conservation, identification and classification of more butterfly species is critical. These flitting beauties, like the migratory birds, follow a habitation pattern during certain seasons. "The butterfly walk is a delightful experience for me. Butterfly Park is an ideal ecosystem where researchers, nature lovers as well as photographers can document butterflies,” says Sunita Rao, who participated in the walk last week.
Incidentally, Visakhapatnam zoo is located in the Eastern Ghats, one of the oldest mountain ranges with thriving flora and fauna and a critical secondary ecosystem.
The butterfly walks are held in the weekends from 9 a.m to 11 a.m with a registration fee of ₹ 200 per participant.
(For details, contact 81213168643)
