Giving colour to the desert

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Giving colour to the desert

Sunday, 18 November 2018 | SANGEETA YADAV

Giving colour to the desert

Who says butterflies can't flutter in a desert? The Al Noor Island in Sharjah buzzes with exotic and colourful wingers imported from The Philippines and Costa Rica, says Sangeeta Yadav

Cutting the wind with its electric blue symmetrically patterned wings, taking a swirl up in the air moving to form a figure of eight and then smoothly landing on to a blooming flower. “That’s rare Blue Swallowtail,” says Ajmal Hasan, education manager at the Mleiha Archaeological Centre and Al Noor Island in Sharjah, as he brings his both palm close to the butterfly in order to make him sit on his hands.

“There are many techniques to hold these gentle creatures. Holding its wings would leave them injured. It is best to hold them gently from their body. The best way is to just bring both your hands close to butterfly and try to give a space for them to step on your hand. You can also put a cut fruit on your hand and they will come to suck the nectar from it. If you wear a bright floral dress, they will come and sit on you considering you a flower,” Hasan says, who is originally from Bengaluru.

Amid hot climate, beautiful architectures and in middle of the Arabian Gulf sea, these lies Al Noor Island, a place of wonder nature which is home to over 15 exotic species of butterflies whose egg and larva are imported from the Philippines and Costa Rica and kept in a man-made habitat. Species like Zebra longwing Heliconian, passionfruit butterfly, monarch butterfly, red admiral, orchard butterfly, squinting bush brown, malachite, and many others flaunt their bright colourful wings. Resting with its wings held upright over its body, these butterflies suckle the nectar of not just flowers but cut fruits as well like orange, banana, pineapple, and other fruits.

“They are fed fruit slices where they suck the nectar from the fruits using their long proboscis. Also, regular medicinal supplements are sprayed onto the fruits in order for the butterflies to obtain their mineral salts. The eggs and larvae are procured from suppliers based in the Philippines and Costa Rica currently. The Butterflies arrive in their chrysalis state when they are nurtured and hatch within the Butterfly House. The total population has reached 400 now. Most of the Butterfly are common species and not threatened in the wild. The life cycle of most butterflies housed at the island is from three to four weeks maximum,” Hasan explains.

No matter what the temperature is outside, the oval-shape glass enclosure maintains a tropical temperature between 26 to 30 degree C with 80 per cent and above humidity, best suited for the butterfly to flourish. “A lot of hard work, money and conservation time has been spent in developing the Island, primarily so that Sharjah residents can enjoy a lush tropical paradise retreat in between the concrete jungle. Many tropical and milkweed plants have been installed inside the enclosure which gives a natural habitat to these butterflies to lay eggs and transform into the next generation. The hope is to promote butterfly conservation awareness on the island and promote being outdoors appreciating nature’s beauty. We routinely educate school children and visitors with engaging workshops and guided Butterfly house tours in order to make the community more aware about how butterflies are not just beautiful but are part of nature and need to be protected,” Hasan says.

A walk through the Al Noor Island, especially in the evenings, will mesmerise you with a light and sound show. The Island is home to over 2000 trees and plants including Khejri trees, palm trees, peepal, hibiscus and many others. There are numerous art installations like Wind Column Structure which have been strategically placed across the island and aims to spread positivity. Inaugurated in December 2015, the island, which is spread across 45,000 square metres, has been designed by the famous Australian designer Andre Heller, the man behind creating many famous landmarks like Swarovski Crystal Worlds of Wattens in Austria and designing green spaces and landscapes in the gardens of Schonbrunn Palace in Vienna. Connecting Khalid Lagoon with a pedestrian bridge over the sea, this island is truly a great leisure destination that combines nature and art.

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