Butterflies are known to be a sensitive indicator for the environment as it is considered that if one finds butterflies around, the air is fresh and clean. Given its credentials as “soldiers of environment”, the ongoing national Big Butterfly Count Week from September 14 to September 20 in the city is witnessing the participation of around 2,000 Butterfly experts, enthusiasts, many Facebook groups and organisations in Chandigarh and Punjab.
Arun Bansal, a butterfly enthusiast and administrator, Natural Biodiversity, Panjab University on Thursday said that for the sensitisation, education and awareness of the people to the need of butterfly conservation because of the vital role these beautiful insects play in maintaining ecological balance several activities are being organised. This includes butterfly count, online workshops on butterflies, contests on butterfly photography and videography in the ongoing first-of-its-kind national event named Big Butterfly Month: India 2020 from September 14 to September 20. “87 species of butterflies belonging to five families discovered and photographed at Panjab University Campus, Chandigarh,” he added.
Organisations like the BNHS, iNaturalist, Titli Trust, Biodiversity India, Nature Conservation and more than forty others are joining hands for this event.
Bansal said the Big Butterfly Count is being done from September 14 to September 20. Activities being done for the ‘Big Butterfly Month’ are Big Butterfly Count, online workshops on butterflies, contests on butterfly photography, videography and Butterfly Journaling. Participants were encouraged to log in their inputs to citizen science digital platforms such as Butterflies of India, iNaturalist, and Indian Biodiversity portal. They can post photos and observations in the Natural Biodiversity Group on Facebook as well with #BBM tag. “The event is also marked by competitions, virtual media audio and video talks for sensitising and educating people to the need of butterfly conservation because of the vital role these beautiful insects play in maintaining ecological balance. Such programmes make people aware of how we are surrounded by the miracles of nature. The only thing we require is the awareness to count our blessings,” he added.
He said that to participate in the ongoing ‘Big Butterfly Count Week’, butterfly enthusiasts can download one of the three apps: iNaturalist, ifoundbutterflies and India Biodiversity Portal, create an account and simply click and upload pictures of the winged creatures they spot in their backyard or on their morning walk.
“Natural Biodiversity is an online group originated at Panjab University, Chandigarh which is working for the cause of spreading awareness about biodiversity and related issues. Group is documenting various species of flora and fauna in the region and has now more than 9, 000 members across the globe with presence in 99 countries. Natural Biodiversity is part of the ongoing celebration for “Big Butterfly Month 2020”.” Swaraj Raj from Patiala is coordinating for north India Zone on behalf of Natural Biodiversity and Social Substance.
He said that the study of butterfly behavior, population and migration patterns helps determine the health of the local environment.
Bansal said that surveys were conducted from 2015 to 2017 during the seasons. Sampling was done at random hours in range from 8:00 am to 6:00pm. Only photographic documentation was done and no specimen was collected. The identification was done by using Evans (1932), Talbot (1939, 1947) and Wynter-Blyth (1957) and 87 butterflies species belonging to five families [(Papilionidae (5 species), Pieridae (11 species), Nymphalidae (31 species), Lycaenidae (27 species) and Hesperiidae (8 species)].
Arun Kumar Grover said, “Butterflies’ are one of the important environmental indicators of a cleaner environment and we have plenty of those in the campus of Panjab University, Chandigarh”. Meenakshi Malhotra said, “Butterflies are known for their colours and beauty but seldom have we thought that they are Environment Barometer. Study of butterfly behaviour, population and migration patterns helps determine health of local environment.”
