With the aim of increasing the number of butterflies of different species in the capital, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and some experts from Delhi are going to contribute in the same direction. Their contribution is going to be in such a way which will include establishing 100 butterfly corridors.
A butterfly corridor is a place which have a large number of plants which attracts butterflies. The decision has been taken after recording the success of 17 such already existing hotspots. The observation found says, first butterfly record was established in 2017, by Delhi forest Department and BNHS. An unexpected large count of 69 different butterfly species were found. Those 69 species included of a few “rare species ” like red flash, psych and chocolate fonsy. And these were seen in just 14 plant hotspots.
Now the new target is of creating 100 new such hotspots whose plants will be hosting new and an increased member of butterfly species in the capital. According to experts, most of the locations already have some native plant and the trees which hosts butterfly species. But this step is being taken to double check the diversity of species to reach here. Some locations which have already been identified for creating butterfly gardens are DAV School, Manesar Lake Lands, Tak Enclave and Hauz Khas city forest and a few Government schools nearby Mangar Bani.
According to the Co founder of BRC ( Butterfly Research Centre), Butterfly corridors are going to be a very important ad on to the land of Delhi and it will be helpful in flourishing diversified species. Before initiating this corridor creation scheme, and immense amount of study was held to find the host plants of particular species. A few are given here:-
Butterfly species – Large salmon arab | Host Plant – Cadaba Fruticosa
Butterfly species – Small salmon arab | Host Plant – Salvadora Persica
Butterfly species – White Orange Tip | Host Plant – Capparis Decidua
Butterfly species – Yellow Orange Tip | Host Plant – Capparis Sepiaria
The hotspots are being planned to build nearby the areas where already butterflies do live or visit in specific season as per their part of routine. From early experiences, it has been found that the visiting of butterflies is noted higher to such places while the rate is very much low in places farther away. About 65% of the total butterfly species known in the world are found in India. But more than 100 out of these 1300 species are facing extinction on the verge.
The importance of butterflies in the balancing of ecosystem can be understood with the facts. Butterflies are on the second largest number of pollination after honey bees. Therefore, the degrees in its number will directly affect the agriculture sector. As said by Food and Agriculture Organization, 70% of total food crops are pollinated. And there is no data of them being pollinated by any other ways. So decline in the butterflies who pollinate will lead to a dreadful impact on the society. In the view of the seriousness caused by the problem, the idea of 100 new hotspots to host butterfly needs to be highly appreciated resulting in 117 total hotspots in the capital itself.