FireTravels #3—Pictures From One Of The Best Butterfly Conservation Parks In India

This conservation park near my city has some of the rarest and largest species of butterflies in the country. It is the only such initiative in the State of Karnataka and was started by an acquaintance, 'Sammilan Shetty.’

Sammilan, a college lecturer working in Mangalore set this up in 2011, and it is located at Belvai, short drive of 42 kms from Mangalore city. The park is open to public only on Sundays from 8.30 a.m to 12.30 p.m. I visited this place last year for my story on this park for a local publication, a version of which I'm presenting here today.

^{Gaudy Baron}

Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Conservation Park is now home to over 140 species of butterflies out of the approximately 1500 species found across India. The Southern Birdwing’ with a wingspan of 19 cms is the largest butterfly in India and can be easily spotted here in the wee hours.

^{Blue Oakleaf}

Rare endemic species from the Western Ghats mountains such as the Malabar Banded Peacock are found here. While the Blue Nawab, Autumn Leaf, Blue Tiger, Grey Pansy and Tailed Jay—one of the fastest flying butterflies were also spotted on my visit with @speedracer who was assisting with the shoot on the occasion. The Tailed Jay was extremely difficult to capture as it wouldn't stay still!

^{Tailed Jay}

^{Common Baron}

Sammilan has managed to create a complete ecosystem that nurtures the butterflies throughout their lifecycle. He has planted nectar-rich plants that provide ample sustenance for the butterflies. August-September are the best months to visit the park and gets over 100 visitors on the weekend.

^{Common Crow}

^{Grey Count}

A number of birds and insects at the park serve as the natural predators of these winged wonders, keeping their population in check.

^{The Clipper}

^{Blue Tiger}

^{Glassy Tiger}

Guided Tour and Presentation

In order to make conservation efforts sustainable there is a registration fee of Rs. 50 ($0.78) per person. Sammilan and his team usually accompany the guests to the park and it is followed by an awesome presentation that lasts 20 minutes. I was mesmerised by the hi-definition close-up videos of butterflies and their life cycles.

^{A few tree bugs!}

Together with his team, he's working towards producing a documentary film on these butterflies and hopes to release them later in the year.

^{Southern Birdwing Pupa! We were a bit early in the season last year.}

^{India's Largest Butterfly - Southern Birdwing from Sammilan's photo collection on his group!}

I hope you enjoyed this post. Please check the official FB group for more amazing photos.

I tried really hard over the past three weeks to find my log book where I had noted down the names of the butterflies but seem to have lost it.

Anyways, India is an amazing and colorful place. Please come and visit!

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