India's First Butterfly Sanctuary: Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary
In a significant step towards biodiversity conservation, Kerala has established India’s first butterfly sanctuary, located in the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur district, Kerala. This move reflects a focused effort on protecting butterfly species and raising awareness about their conservation.
Established: The sanctuary was originally established in 1984 as the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary.
Research & Surveys: Annual butterfly surveys have been conducted for over 20 years, in partnership with the Malabar Natural History Society.
Butterfly Migration Study: A significant research and tourism activity, held every January or February, focusing on the migration of butterfly species in the sanctuary.
Location: Situated in Kannur district, Kerala, within the Western Ghats.
Area: Spanning 55 square kilometers of lush tropical and semi-evergreen forests.
River System: The Cheenkannipuzha River is the main drainage system of the sanctuary
Protection of Habitat: Provide a protected space for butterflies and safeguard their migration corridors.
Awareness & Education: Raise public awareness about the importance of butterfly conservation.
Eco-Tourism & Research: Promote eco-tourism and scientific research, benefiting local communities and researchers.
Feature |
Details |
---|---|
Location |
Aralam, Kannur district, Kerala, in the Western Ghats. |
Area |
55 square kilometres of tropical and semi-evergreen forests. |
Butterfly Species Count |
266+ species, representing over 80% of Kerala's butterfly diversity. |
Rare Sightings |
Includes the Common Albatross, Danaine species, and other endemic butterflies. |
Seasonal Migration |
Peak migration occurs December–February. |
Butterfly Species: The sanctuary is home to over 266 species of butterflies, which accounts for more than 80% of Kerala’s butterfly diversity. Some of these species are unique to the region, while others are endangered.
Migration Period: From October to February, the sanctuary experiences an incredible migration phenomenon, particularly of the Common Albatross butterfly. During this period, the sanctuary turns into a living rainbow as butterflies fill the air, fluttering amid tall trees, wild orchids, and flowers.
Protection: The sanctuary offers a safe haven for endangered and endemic butterfly species, ensuring their protection from habitat loss and other threats.
Scientific Discovery: The sanctuary remains a vital site for ongoing research, with new species still being identified.
Ecological Balance: Butterflies play a crucial role as pollinators, which are vital for maintaining the ecological balance of the region.
Funding & Policies: The renaming to a butterfly sanctuary strengthens conservation policies and enhances funding opportunities for wildlife protection.
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
If you haven’t created your account yet, please Login HERE !
We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.