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“The Butterfly counts not months, but moments, and has time enough”, said Rabindranath Tagore. A visit to the new Butterfly Park in Bannerghatta is enlightening. Not only will you gain insights into the lifestyle of the beautiful butterfly, but these winged beauties will also teach you, how they live happily, despite their short lifespan.
Known for its bumpy roads, pot holes and gaudy shopping malls, I as a Bangalorean was losing hope of ever spotting nature in its full glory. The huge IT Parks were occupying the rest of the space. But thanks to the Almighty, the brand new Butterfly Park that was opened very recently in Bannerghatta, near Bangalore is a visual treat to all who love to be in the company of nature.
Nestled amidst the forested hills of Bannerghatta, near Bangalore, the Butterfly Park, spread over 7.5 acres, houses educational, scientific and training facilities.
The Conservatory Dome, a 10,000 sq.ft circular enclosure will be an awe-inspiring experience for most visitors. It is an indoor living environment which has been carefully designed to support nature’s most colourful living creations. The conservatory also has a museum and a curio shop attached to it. This living butterfly environment has been created as a tropical setting, with gurgling streams, supporting colourful trees, shrubs and vines which attract a wide variety of butterflies. At any given time, one may encounter thousands of butterflies of 20 different species, native to South India fluttering around you.
Mascot of Conservation
So far, tigers and elephants have served as successful brand ambassadors of conservation efforts in India. It is now time for the butterflies to serve as ideal mascots for the conservation of other insects. The mission of the Butterfly Park is to foster an appreciation of butterflies and other invertebrates, while educating the public about the need for conservation of threatened habitats in the tropics and around the world. Besides creating awareness, the Park has a significant research programme as India hosts 9.5 percent, that is around 1500 of the 17,000 butterfly species in the world.
Butterflies are called “Umbrella Species” and protecting their habitat helps conserve other species like ants, beetles and dragon flies too. The Park is an initiative of the National Bio-resources Development Board, Department of Bio-technology, Government of India and jointly executed by Zoo Authority of Karnataka, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and Ashoka Trust for Research on Environment and Ecology.
A film on Butterflies screened for visitors describes the life and ‘lifestyle’ of the butterfly. Butterflies have very short life spans, but they live their lives fluttering around happily and peacefully. The butterfly is also referred to as the “soul” because it is so quiet and tranquil. The butterflies teach us a lesson. As humans we love to let the world know that we exist. We shout, scream, make our presence felt in more than a million ways, to prove we exist. Take some quiet moments out each day to recede into your cocoons of peace where only “I” am with “myself.” That’s how a butterfly lives.
You can help conserve butterflies and other insects by protecting their habitats and planting appropriate host plants in your neighbourhood. The Butterfly Park can assist you in setting up a Butterfly garden in your home or organisation, the benefits of which can be very rewarding. The Park is closed on Tuesdays and you can visit the butterflies between 10 am to 5 pm on other days.
Contact: Executive Director
Bannerghatta Biological Park
Bangalore-560083
Ph:27828300/540. Fax: 27828400
Email: bannerghatta@vsnl.net
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