Floats Like a Butterfly
Here is walk through winter.A warmth that comes from Kamal Kant Koner,a photographer,who has captured a blurry,visual scheme that was far more enticing
Here is walk through winter.A warmth that comes from Kamal Kant Koner,a photographer,who has captured a blurry,visual scheme that was far more enticing
IT takes a photographer to shed light on the endangered habitat of the monarch butterfly.This delicate environment has been threatened by the increasing deforestation of the area where they hibernate,changing the course of their migration and depleting the population which,can change our weather system dramatically.
The butterfly park in Yamuna Biodiversity Park,Delhi flutters with glittering colours bright,vibrant,soothing hues of every kind.In numerous shades,they adore the flowery bed of the butterfly park.The park is an all-time favourite of poets,artists,photographers and children.
Apart from their beauty and aesthetic value,butterflies help in pollination.In horticulture,they are considered pests.They have vegetation preferences and they are host-specific.For example,larvae of lemon butterfly feeds on leaves of lemon trees.
Biodiversity parks use biopesticides like neem oil,trichogramma and trichoderma.These dont affect the insects like bees butterflies.Some parks on the other hand use artificial fertilisers and insecticides.Although insects are adaptive and evolve resistance (get immune),some like butterflies cant sustain and survive.
Butterflies are herbivorous,(though caterpillars of Apefly are carnivorous,and are found in peninsular India up to Gujarat as
well as Uttaranchal and Arunachal Pradesh.They can be seen any time but the ideal time is September to November and February to March.The recent flood this year has swallowed most of the vegetation.The saplings of the nursery also couldnt avoid survive a similar fate.But considering it was a natural calamity,there is little to say.In spite of these,20 species (as identified) of butterfly still flaunt their beauteous wings in the park.The park has lost its greenery,but its glory persists.
Yamuna Biodiversity Park is managed with Ecosystem approach by a team of scientists,namely Dr Faiyaz A.Khudsar,Dr Ashwini Kumar Singh,Dr Ekta Khurana and Mohammad Faisal.The concept of Biodiversity Parks to preserve the natural heritage of the city of Delhi was formulated and conceptualised by countrys renowned ecologist Prof.C.R.Babu.DDA is developing and funding this park under the aegis of Delhi Biodiversity Foundation which is chaired by Honble Lt.Governor of Delhi.
* Peacock Pansy (Junonia almana)
* Common Castor (Ariadne merione); Common Leopard (Phalanta phalantha) and Blue Pansy (Junonia orithiya)
* Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)
* Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)
* Pointed Ciliate Blue (Anthene lycaenina)
* Rounded Pierrot (Tarucus nara)
* Common Castor (Ariadne merione); Common Leopard (Phalanta phalantha) and Blue Pansy (Junonia orithiya)
* Common Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)
* Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)
* Pointed Ciliate Blue (Anthene lycaenina)
* Rounded Pierrot (Tarucus nara)