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24th Indian Birding Fair PDF
24th Indian Birding Fair PDF
24
INDIAN
BIRDING
FAIR
March 2021, Jaipur
DEDICATED TO
BUTTERFLY CONSERVATION
Butterflies face a curfew-like plight in India
Insect conservation ignored, grievously side tracked
By Peter Smetacek
Founder of the Butterfly Research Center at Bhimtal
Email: [email protected]
Family Common Name Scientific Name Family Common Name Scientific Name
Papilionidae Lime Popilio demoleus Lesser Grass Blue Zizina otis
Common Mormmon Papilio polytes Dark Grass Blue Zizeeria karsandra
Tailed Jay Graphium agamemnon African Babul Blue Azanus jesous
Common Jay Graphium doson Bright Babul Blue Azanus ubaldus
Pieridae Common Grass Yellow Eurema hecabe Common Cerulean Jamides celeno
Spotless Grass Yellow Eurema laeta Common Silverline Spindasis vulcanus
Small Grass Yellow Eurema brigitta Common Shot Silverline Spindasis ictis
Common Emigrant Catopsilia Crocale Common Guava Blue Virachola isocrates
Mottled Emigrant Catopsilia Pyranthe Nymphalidae Danaid Eggfly Hypolimnus missippus
The Pioneer Anaphaeis aurota Great Eggfly Aypolimnas bilina
Common Gull Cepora erissa Blue Pansy Junonia oritrya
Small Orange Tip Colotis etrida Lemon Pansy Junonia lemonies
White Orange Tip Ixias marianne Peacock Pansy Junonia almana
Striped Albatross Appias libythe Yellow Pansy Junonia hierta
Large Salmon Arab Colotis fausta Grey Pansy Tunonia atiiles
Yellow Orange Tip Ixias pyrene Painted Lady Vanessa cardui
White Arab Colotis vestalis Common Four Ring Ypthima huebneri
Small Salmon Arab Colotis amata Joker Byblia ilithyia
Lycaenida Tiny Grass Blue Zizula hylax Tawny Coster Acraea violae
Pea Blue Lempides boeticus Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus
Zebra Blue Syntarucus plinius Common Indian Crow Euploea core
Gram Blue Euchrysops cnejus Striped Tiger Danaus genutia
Forget Me Not Cotachrysops strabo Hesperiidae Indian Palm Bob Suastus gremius
Rounded Pierrot Tarucus nara Rice Swift Barbo cinnara
Spotted Pierrot Tarucus callinara Small Branded Swift Pelopidas mathias
Black-spotted Pierrot Tarucus balkanicus nigra White Branded Swift Pelopidas thrax
Red Piorrot Talicada nyseus ….. Swift sp. Parnara sp.
Indian Cupid Everes lacturnus Grass Demon Udaspes folus
Small Cupid Chilades parrhasius Indian Skipper Spialia galba
Plains Cupid Chilades pandava Zebra Skipper Spialia zebra
Lime Blue Chilades lajus Spotted Small Flat Sarangesa purendra
Pale Grass Blue Seudozizeeria maha Tricolor Pied Flat Coladenia indrani
The UK has a somewhat poor list of butterfly species be found in your garden. The rather duller coloured
compared to India. While you have an astonishing list Gatekeeper, Wall Brown, Ringlet, Grayling and
of over 1,500 species, we have a total of just 59. It is Meadow Brown are also common in the south, some
perhaps not surprising that people struggle with of them becoming purely coastal as you head further
identification of such a large group in India - while in north.
the UK we have many enthusiasts who can identify all
Some species are so southern in their distribution as to
of the UK species easily - and make it a mission to see
be only found only on the south facing cliffs on the
them all.
south coast… including two rare species - Lulworth
I have been interested in birds since I was a child but Skipper and the beautiful Glanville Fritillary on just
developed an interest in all sorts of other wildlife, one island off the south coast. This very rare species
including butterflies, as I got older… so as I travelled was one of the last three UK species I saw two years
the country in search of interesting birds I also looked ago when we made a trip to the island specifically to
for butterflies. Over the years I managed to see many see it. Personally I think the underside is especially
of the species and, three years ago, realised that with a beautiful.
bit of effort I might perhaps see the rest and planned a
Glanville Fritillary lays its eggs on Ribwort
trip to take in the best sites for those I was missing.
Plantain… an astonishingly abundant plant all over
I caught up with a large number of species when the whole of the UK - so it appears to be summer
travelling to southern England on birding trips… temperatures that restrict it to this one location as even
making a little detour here and there to visit the various here it is only on south facing slopes. This is a common
habitats that hold interesting species. The chalklands theme with many rare species that must be restricted
of southern England saw me catch up with Chalkhill by something other than the distribution of their food
Blue, Adonis Blue, Brown Argus, the black and white plant. For example, another Fritillary also only found
Marbled White and the very rare Silver-spotted it the extreme south, Heath Fritillary, is found in less
Skipper as well as many others that are common here than five locations but feeds on Cow-wheat - a
using plants like Horseshoe Vetch and Rockrose as common species in woodlands all over Britain - so
foodplants. Some of the most beautiful, such as Red why it is so restricted is a mystery.
Admiral, Peacock and Small Tortoiseshell, are
There are other woodland species in southern England
common everywhere and breed on nettles so can even
worth searching for such as White Admiral, Wood
24th Birding Fair 7
Glanville Fritillary Glanville Fritillary Purple Emperor - Holy Grail of woodland butterflies
The beautiful Swallowtail The delightful Chequered Skipper Large Blue nectaring on Wild Thyme
White and Silver-washed Fritillary in woodland rides, Of the UK's 59 regular species, two don't breed every
Purple Hairstreaks high in the oaks, White-letter year in the UK as they are migrants. Clouded Yellow
Hairstreak in elms and Brown and Black Hairstreak on occurs on the south coast but some years there are big
Blackthorn. It can be quite a challenge getting to see influxes and it can be seen further inland. Painted Lady
some of these species which may be hidden in the tree appears in most years and can occur in massive
tops or not fly for hours on end, but they are worth the numbers into the millions migrating all the way from
effort. None of these is as spectacular as the holy grail North Africa! In those years they may even breed and
of woodland butterflies - the Purple Emperor! This seem not to know when to stop heading north as they
stunning butterfly is big and beautiful with iridescent can be seen right up to the north coast of Scotland and
purple in its wings - but can be very hard to see. Some even in Iceland and north of the Arctic Circle!
people take a very old black banana and place it on the
The final species I needed to complete my UK list was
ground to try and coax them down from the trees,
very special. Large Blue was wiped out in the UK due
while others, would you believe, say dog muck works
to habitat loss. They have the most astonishing life
even better! I think I'll stick with the bananas, thanks.
cycle. The caterpillars feeding on Wild Thyme but
Another truly spectacular butterfly is the Swallowtail - quite soon drop to the floor where they mimic the
big, beautiful and rare it has very few sites in the UK shape and scent of ant larvae.
and is restricted to wetland fens in the east of England.
The ants pick them up and take them into their nest
On this occasion the situation is entirely explained by
believing them to be their own young - but once inside
its food plant as Milk Parsley is also restricted to this
the ant-nest, the caterpillar feasts on the ant's own
area. Once you know where to look this is an easy
larvae! The ants simply don't notice!! This species
butterfly to see being so big and obvious!
died out in the UK 1979 due to loss of habitat suitable
But not everything is in the south. The north has a few for the ants, but with careful management, a few nature
very special species not found in the south at all - reserves created suitable habitat and the butterfly was
including one of my favourites, the delightful reintroduced.
Chequered Skipper.
There are now three or four sites where this species has
This tiny and beautifully marked butterfly breeds on a been re-established and I finally managed to see this
very common grass.. so it is another puzzle why the species after many years thinking it was too late! This
species is so incredibly rare, found at very few sites in completed my UK butterfly list and there were
the Highlands of Scotland. Scotch Argus, feeds on the celebrations that night.
same grasses and is very common in Scotland in
This year however, Large Tortoiseshell has bred for
summer - but only has two sites in England despite the
the second year in a row on the south coast in tiny
grasses being common all over the country! Another
numbers…. so maybe I still haven't seen them all!
highland specialist is Mountain Ringlet, restricted to
Another trip down south for me next year perhaps!??
high grassy mountains and often requiring a stiff walk
to see one.
8 24th Birding Fair
How Long Do Butterflies Live?
By Roy Atkins
Wildlife Guide for Speyside Wildlife, a wildlife holiday company based in Scotland
Email: [email protected]
In last few years there has been a tremendous increase about butterflies and their requirements, knowledge
in the interest in developing butterfly gardens (parks) about plants and finances to run the garden. If you want
in India. Many private as well as government butterfly to make it a public place, you need some advertising or
gardens have come up at various places across India. It marketing skills to attract people to visit the butterfly
is a good sign, in the sense we have started garden and pay for the visit.
appreciating the importance of butterflies as objects of
Understanding the laws of the land
aesthetic value, for conservation as well as to create
sustainable livelihood options for local communities. Butterfly garden can be a 'closed' one or an 'open' one.
A short visit to a butterfly garden gives us enormous A closed butterfly garden is an entire garden covered
pleasure. Many of us might have visited butterfly with green nets. The butterflies are released into this
gardens in Singapore and London and or other places enclosed area either as adult butterflies or are reared in
in the world. It is fascinating to see so many colourful the garden itself. In Singapore and London butterfly
butterflies in these gardens and also to see thousands of parks, they import butterfly pupae (akachrysalis) from
visitors enjoying the company of these flying jewels! different parts of the world and keep them in small
glass boxes (emergence cages) till the butterflies
Butterfly garden is a garden where you can see lot of
emerge. As soon as the butterflies emerge these are
butterflies belonging to different species at one place
released into the garden. In absence of any predators,
and in good numbers. An ideal open butterfly garden is
the butterflies survive till they die naturally.
a miniature representation of the forest. This article is
an attempt to summarise the basics of butterfly But as per the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
gardening in India. This will hopefully answer some of
the questions people ask about butterfly gardening in Sohail Madan is Manager at BNHS's Asola Bhatti
India. Wildlife Sanctuary in New Delhi, who provided
good material, not being published due to lack of
To set up a new butterfly garden what we need is a
space, his photographs of the species are being
suitable piece of land at the right location, man power,
thankfully used. -- Editors
working knowledge of landscaping, good knowledge
butterflies are wild animals and it is illegal to keep wild Understanding the life cycle of butterflies
animals (protected under various Schedules of the
Before starting work on setting up a butterfly garden
Act) in captivity (in any enclosure or cage) preventing
one must understand the life cycle of butterflies.
its free movement. As soon as there is an enclosure, it
Butterfly life cycle completes in four stages, viz., egg,
is deemed as a zoo. And to run a zoo, permission is
caterpillar (larva), pupa (chrysalis) and adult butterfly.
required from the Central Zoo Authority of India and
Every butterfly lays its eggs on one of the few selected
also it is mandatory to follow their guidelines for
species of plants, which are called larval host plants.
establishing and managing a zoo. Getting permission
The caterpillars emerge from these eggs and feed
from this authority (though creating a butterfly park
voraciously on the leaves or these larval host plants.
may be a good objective) is a very tedious task for a
The caterpillar moults few times and stops eating after
general citizen and it may take years to get one.
certain growth and gets metamorphosed into a pupa.
But permissions can be sought by the Government After few days, an adult butterfly emerges from this
Zoos, Botanical Gardens, if they want to set up pupa.
“butterfly enclosures” in their existing zoos. Zoos in
That means butterflies need the larval host plants on
India have huge swathes of land at prime locations;
which their caterpillars will grow and food for the
they could actually prove that they can create butterfly
adult butterflies on which they will survive.
parks in India.
Landscaping for butterfly garden
Hence, for private butterfly parks or gardens (owned
by an individual or a corporate), the easy and best It is important to have a good location for the butterfly
option will be to set up an 'open butterfly garden' on garden, especially the open butterfly garden. The best
your own or leased land. Here the butterflies are free location will be near a patch of forest, as the butterflies
ranging and no butterfly is captured or captive. can be attracted to the garden by fulfilling the
Fortunately, we don't need any permission to create an necessary requirements. However, it is not necessary
open butterfly park in India. to have big plot to attract butterflies to the garden.
Even a small plot can be converted into a decent
There are many open butterfly gardens in India. One is
butterfly garden. It is better to avoid setting up a new
located in the BNHS Nature Reserve popularly known
butterfly garden in very dry areas or very cold areas,
as CEC in Goregaon area of Mumbai. This garden is
deserts, and in highly urbanized areas with not many
located on the fringe area of Sanjay Gandhi National
butterfly species around. Once the land is acquired, it
Park in this CEC land. It now attracts more than 125
is important to do landscaping of the plot as per the
species of butterflies and hundreds of visitors.
requirements of a butterfly garden. If it already has lot
their stock of food from rotten fruits, decaying fish, Parantica aglea, Dark Blue Tiger Tirumala
crabs, or prawns, the scat or dung or urine of wild septentrionis, Plain Tiger Danaus chrysippus, Striped
animals and so on. These butterflies locate the food or Common Tiger Danaus genutia, Nilgiri Tiger
because of the strong smell. Some of the butterflies Parantica nilgiriensis and the crow butterflies namely,
(besides moths) which are attracted to these include Common Indian Crow Euploea core, Brown King
the Common Nawab Polyuraathamas, Anamolous Crow Euploeaklugii. These are also called brush-
Nawab Charaxesagrarius, Black Rajah Charaxes footed butterflies.
solon, Tawny Rajah Charaxesbernardus, Blue
Attracting 'mud-loving' butterflies
Oakleaf Kallimahorsfieldii, Orange Oakleaf
Kallimainachus, Common Baron Euthaliaaconthea, In the landscape of the butterfly garden, if there is
Gaudy Baron Euthalialubentina, Common Evening natural depression it should be watered more often to
Brown Melanitisleda, Angled Castor Ariadne create a muddy spot and a wet patch. Plastic sheets can
ariadne, Common Palmfly Elymniashypermnestra, be buried under this muddy spot to manage moisture
Baronet Euthalianais and many bushbrowns level. Fine sand should be spread along the fringe of
Mycalesis spp. this muddy place and rotten leaf litter be mixed in the
soil from time to time. Many butterflies (especially
Rotten fruits can be kept in feeding trays in the
males of many species) visit such damp and muddy
butterfly garden to attract these butterflies. These
places to get their daily dose of water, minerals and
feeding trays with rotting fruits may attract ants, which
various chemicals needed for their physiological
in turn will disturb the butterflies. To manage this
needs. This is known as 'mud-puddling'. Yellows of
problem, each feeding tray should be kept in another
many species gather on mud for mud-puddling in huge
slightly larger tray filled with water. This will prevent
numbers.
ants to reach the bowl with fruits, creating a moat-like
situation. The feeding tray can also be kept hanging on Also, before planting the plots of plants, a permanent
trees at various locations in the garden. Rotten or arrangement for watering the plants should be done.
overripe fruits of Pineapple Ananas comosus, Custard This could be the sprinklers or other methods, which
apple Annona reticulata, banana, guava and Sapota will save lot of manpower in future needed to water the
(Sapodilla or Chikoo) Manilkara zapotaare useful in entire garden nearly every day.
attracting butterflies.
What should not be done
Attracting 'alkaloid-loving' male butterflies
One of the most important rules to be followed in
Males of some butterfly species need specific butterfly gardening is to strictly avoid the use of any
alkaloids for reproduction. These alkaloids are insecticide, pesticide, weedicide or any similar
provided by plants like Rattlepod Crotalaria, Turnsole chemicals to kill or control some pests. These will
Heliotropium, and Eupatorium species. The male eventually kill the butterfly caterpillars (which are
butterflies flock these plants in huge numbers to suck nothing but butterflies to be born) and drive the
these alkaloids and is a pleasant sight to see the butterflies away from your butterfly garden.
butterflies engrossed in the activity. They need these
Another thing is avoiding plantation of rose plants.
chemicals to synthesize sex pheromones to attract
These are useless for butterflies and need spraying of
females. Developing small plots of these plants ensure
insecticides to protect it from various moth
flocks of butterflies especially the tiger butterflies
caterpillars.
namely, Blue Tiger Tirumala limniace, Glassy Tiger
Avoid using chemical fertilizers. Instead, the garden running north-south in the middle of the garden. This
can have a small place where natural fertilizers can be will keep big areas with lot of sunlight.
produced by composting the leaf litter, cattle dung and
A small shade for visitors with resting facilities, a tea
other garbage from the garden. This natural fertilizer
and snacks kiosk and basic amenities like toilets
should be used for the larval host plants for their
ensure the comforts of the visitors.
healthy growth.
Maintaining a Genetic Stock and nursery of plants
Landscaping
It is important to maintain a genetic stock of all larval
To set up an open butterfly garden, it is necessary to
host plants as well as nectar plants in the form of seeds
have a proper plan of landscaping. But if there are trees
or grafts. The seeds should be collected whenever they
already in place, the plan should be designed
are found and kept safe till the pre-monsoon period.
accordingly without cutting the existing trees. The
The seeds should be grown in a netted nursery and then
plan should clearly describe the plots for flowering
shifted to the butterfly garden. This should be done at
trees and take care of the needs of various species of
least to plant species Tagala and Aristolochia as the
trees as per their requirement and dependence on
caterpillars of Roses are known to finish the entire
sunlight. There should be a small nursery totally
plants leaving nothing behind.
enclosed to protect small saplings of various plants
collected for the garden. Few saplings of each larval Manpower
host plant (at least the rare ones) should be protected
To manage an open butterfly garden you need to hire at
here as genetic pool. Sometimes entire plants are
least one gardener, a plant expert, a butterfly expert
finished by hordes of caterpillars. This stock will help
and a person to manage the entire set up. Ofcourse, you
replenish the plants in the garden again.
can play few roles out of these.
Landscaping should involve plan of narrow footpaths
Money matters (Financial Management)
in the garden which allows access to most of the areas
in the garden. These if planned well can prevent You need some seed money to start with butterfly
trampling of the plants by visitors, while trying to gardening and there is no guarantee that it will earn
photograph some butterfly. These may not be of you money. If you have the land needed to set up the
concrete, but of small bricks to allow movement of butterfly garden available with you, the initial cost will
caterpillars. be less. But there is recurring cost to maintain a
butterfly garden which includes purchase of saplings,
Sunshine is very important in the life of butterflies as
hiring a gardener, honorarium to butterfly and plant
they are cold blooded animals and need to bask in
experts (many roles can be played by one person),
sunlight before they start their activities in the
electricity bills, and water bills and so on. Butterfly
morning. They become active after basking in sunlight
garden needs proper management and regular
for some time. Hence the garden should have lots of
maintenance, otherwise the weeds overgrow the larval
flower beds with lot of sunshine.
host plants and soon it loses the beauty of being a
While planting large trees in the garden, lot of 'butterfly garden'!
planning and futuristic thinking is needed. When they
You can rear a butterfly in your house
grow, they should not create shadow in entire butterfly
garden. If the garden is very big, the trees can be Anybody can rear a butterfly in his house! That's pretty
planted along the eastern edge or they should be simple. You can search for caterpillars on larval host
planted along the western edge or forming a line plants of butterflies. A Lime tree Citrus spp. or a Curry
Fig. 1: Dakhan Tricolour Pied Flat butterfly (Coladeniaindrani indra) Fig. 2: DakhanTricolour Pied Flat butterfly (Coladeniaindrani indra)
During recent surveys, we have sighted the Dakhan namely: Coladenia indrani indrani (Moore 1866),
Tricolour Pied Flat butterfly (Coladenia indrani Himalayan Tricolour Pied Flat, Coladenia indrani
indra) and the Desert Spotted Small Flat (Sarangesa uposathra Fruhstorfer (1911), Indo-Chinese Tricolour
purendra sati) on the outskirts of Ranthambore Tiger Pied Flat and Coladenia indrani indra Evans (1926), –
Reserve, Sawai Madhopur in eastern Rajasthan. These Dakhan Tricolour Pied Flat.
butterflies from the Hesperiidae family are among the
On July 13, 2020 at about 4.00pm, while wandering
most beautiful butterflies of Rajasthan seen visiting in
the outskirts of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, Sawai
habitats dominated by Tridax procubens (a flowering
Madhopur, a beautiful butterfly sucking food from the
plant in the daisy family), Lepidagathis hamiltoniana
flowers of Tridax procumbens drew our attention (Fig.
(a herb having small flowers) and L. Cristata (a plant
1 & 2). The area where the butterfly was seen is a
like mushroom). During several surveys, we have
private farm locally known as “Dhonk Farm” situated
sighted them only once indicating them to be rare
very close to the western outskirts of Ranthambhore
species in the area.
Tiger Reserve. Besides Tridax procumbens, other
The skipper butterfly Coladenia indrani (Moore1866) species growing in the premises were Butea
is one of the most beautiful butterflies and is monosperma Palash or dhak), Terminalia Arjuna
widespread in India from Gujarat eastwards to West (Arjun), Aegle marmelos (Bel), Citrus limon (Lemon)
Bengal and southward to Kerala, Himachal Pradesh to and Luffa cylindrical (like gourd). The surroundings of
North-East India (Varshney & Smetacek 2015). It is the farm are well wooded comprising of good growth
reported from Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, of Capparis sepiaria (Heens or Kantari), Anogeissus
Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, pendula (Dhok), Manilkara hexandra (Khirni),
Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. Bauhinia recemosa ('Bidi” leaf tree) and Acacia
leucophloea (Ronj or Safed babool). Nitin et al.(2018)
(https://www.ifoundbutterflies.org/sp/508/Coladenia-
reported that Mallotus philippensi (Kumkum or Lal
indrani). As many as four species of the genus
Kamal), Bauhinia racemosa, Dalbergia latifolia (like
Coladenia Moore, (1881) are reported from the Indian
Sheesham) and Bridelia retusa (Kaji) are larval host
subregion, i.e.,Coladenia agni (de Nicéville 1884),
plants of this butterfly.
Coladenia indrani (Moore 1866), Coladenia hoenei
Evans, 1939 and Coladenia agnioides Elwes & These plant species dot the nearby forest of
Edwards 1897. The Tricolored Pied Flat, Coladenia Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve. Coladenia indrani
indrani is represented by three sub-species in India, indra is a medium-sized butterfly with a 40–46 mm
Like to recall, it has been a long tenure in wildlife Butterflies are acknowledged as the key-stone species
conservation for me. Having had sessions for bird in ecological cycle. They are catalysts in growth of
watching, my mind turned towards habitat protection. variety of insects, which play very useful role for
So I devised seed-ball as a worthy device, new or society. It will be no hyberbole to accept that human
different I know not. I opted for acacia plants as they existence is mainly dependent on survival of
were to stand better aiming at their associate species butterflies and moths. They play meaningful roles as:
flourishing well towards the forested and denuded *indicators of environmental health
habitats around city of Jaipur, my work field. I made an
experiment to serve as new vegetation to host White- *sustaining feed chain
naped Tit (Parus nauchali) which was being observed *vital pollinators
fairly regularly amidst the Nahgargarh Biological
Reserve, adjacent to this city. The balls turned into *controllers of bio weeds
saplings and within a few years were to be observed as *bio-indicators of pollution in human environment,
young trees. etc.
In the process, butterflies fell in to my lap. I had to race I found the Naghargarh Biological Park of utmost
up to log in the species as we decided to dedicate the diversity where about 40 species of butterflies were
24th Indian Birding Fair to this beautiful group. What identified by me. It has contrasting shades: dry
surprise that I could estimate having observed nearly deciduous forest, on decline owing to anthropogenic
60 species across the Jaipur landscape. Many of them pressures, administered by Department of forest,
happen to be common species while I understand some Rajasthan. It has rocky ridges, wooded slopes and flat
as uncommon. I am yet to fully assess difference grassland chunks, dotted mostly by thorny species of
between those which stay here round the year and vegetation, at places in excellent health though widely
which sojourn around. grazed and lopped by villagers living nearby. So an
I like to convey to people that it would be unjustified to example of human dominated forest biome. Such a
consider that butterflies are attracted by flowers only, mosaic hosts butterflies from the Nymphalidae family
as is the general belief among urbanites. All butterflies like Blue Pansy, Peacock Pansy, Danaid Eggfly,
have own larval host plants and their leaves are used to Painted Lady etc. Such species prefer to adopt
lay eggs. Their caterpillars derive feed from leaves, primarily the vegetation like Gokhru, Vajradanti and
flowers and fruits of such plants. Therefore, it is of Aak laying eggs on their leaves.
vital significance to accord priority to conservation of A butterfly in the Pieridae family, Large Salmon Arab
such plants. Glad that this issue has been highlighted prefers dry habitat and found in India in such places,
in details in this issue to educate people. has been recorded in this area. Kair and Vajradanti are
its host plants. From the same family, Spotless Grass belonging to the 61 Cavalry during pre-independence
Yellow prefers Babool, Kikar, and Amaltras trees. days and finally got transferred to the Forest
Kair appears to be the favourite plant for others from Department. A prolific nursery is run there and citizens
the same family like Pioneer, Common Gull, White enjoy morning walks in this large and densely wooded
Orange Tip, Little Orange Tip, etc. Considered as the area, well conserved as I will like to opine. Owing to its
smallest in size among the Indian butterflies, Black- botanical diversity, it has the potential to be described
spotted Grass Jewel (1.5 cm – 2 cm) has also been as an ideal butterfly park but wonder why the
observed here. authorities seldom thought about it – it is noted for
Papilionidae family's butterflies, identified due to their
My next exploration has been in the Jhalana forest,
attractive colours. Common Rose and Tailed Jay can
located South-East of city of Jaipur. It is part of the age
be spotted any time of the day. The mud-flats play host
old Jhalana forest, of late getting famous for leopard
to several species, a micro habitat they much need.
breeding and sightings. It has been named as Karpur
Chandra Kulish Memorial Park, who happened to be Like to pay attention to road-side plantation and
founder of the popular daily, Rajasthan Patrika, owing shrubs dotting road-dividers. Ashok, Champa,
to his passion for conservation advocacy. Nearly 40 Kaner, Karanj, Sheesham, Amaltas, etc are
species have been noted by me across this well proliferating around such densely citizen-visited
wooded habitat, some not found elsewhere in and areas. They have their share of butterflies. It is for
around the city. The white coloured Common citizens to pay attention and civic authorities to put up
Albatross is a noted species here, breeding on Barna display boards conveying about the species found
tree. Common Cabbage White, Indian Jezebel, and therein. I consider them as primary feeders. Common
Common Castor are in good numbers. The fast flying Grass Yellow has been found laying eggs over the
Indian Palm Bob and Small Branded Swift are in Amaltas tree to be better observed during August-
abundance. Nectar is available in plenty for them September months.
across the ornamental vegetation caused around the
main gate.
Jaipur's Host Plants
The Grass Farm Nursery towards West of the city Larval Host plants list is
happens to be the most advantageous habitat for published on page 26
butterflies. It used to be a fodder storage for ponies
My hobby is bird watching and lots of people do this at is of immense benefit. Once you spot a butterfly, keep
lots of places. We travel all around Jaipur trying to see distance, focus and click it. The species gives you
and photograph them. Birds are easy to find. Because enough time to trap in camera.
of size, they can be spotted well, some are large, easier
It is like two in one. When one is in the field for bird
to observe and one can sit for longer time to enjoy
watching and photographing them, one can easily
them. We can follow them with their sound to adjudge
come across butterflies as well. It may also be possible
which species it was.
to get a rare species. Butterflies and birds share the
At the same time we can also observe the most same habitat. I am basically a passionate nature
beautiful creature, butterflies. They move fast. They photographer. So I can realize that observing lot of
are tiny. So they pose greater challenges. butterflies in the field would indicate that there should
be lots of birds species as well.
Like birds, butterflies have individual markings for
male, female, and juvenile. Mostly they have no sound We need to assess if there is decline in number of
to follow them. It is very easy to identify them. They butterflies in a particular environment/habitat. I
have different colors and spots on their wings. ardently believe that like bird number declining, the
Photographing butterflies is easy. Having a zoom lens butterflies also face threat to their survival. Are some
butterfly species getting threatened? Their numbers
declining? Not much knowledge is available in this
regard. Therefore our effort to dedicate 24th Indian
Birding Fair to Butterfly Conservation is most
appropriate way to pay attention to these species
which serve very useful purpose in human society.
Naming Butterflies
The process of naming the Lepidoptera is based on
specimens. From the time that Linnaeus (1758)
described the very first butterflies using the
binomial system, pinned Lepidoptera have
formed the basis of the science. The Linnaean
collection of butterflies is in the custody of the
Linnaean Society in London.
Grass Yellow (Eurema hecabe)
Ingo Arndt with his camera and the object, introduced, by Peter Liekfeld, a noted author in Germany and our friend
(R to L): Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj, Ms. Shruti Sharma, Ms. Shreya Guha, Mr. M.L. Meena, and Dr. Asad R. Rahmani, depicting the book, Desert National Park at a
house-full gathering of wildlife experts at Forestry and Wildlife Training Institute in Jaipur on 3 February 2021.
It has taken nearly ten years for Dr. G.S. Bhardwaj to Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board.
accomplish his long cherished desire to do a book on
Dr. Asad R. Rahmani joined him as co-author to
Desert National Park, he served long ago to be
contribute his 35 year long encounters with wild
bemused by this habitat of big name yet full of
species in this park while he single-handedly followed
bewildering contrasts. He is famed for his scientific
Great Indian Bustard conservation for the Bombay
bent, species specialization, identification,
Natural History Society, lastly as its Director.
photography and writing, an assignment he executes
with impulsive pursuits. Beset with facilities, he is The formal launch was done by Ms. Shreya Guha,
Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forest in Principal Secretary for Forest & Environment,
Rajasthan and presently posted as Secretary at the Government of Rajasthan. She commended this effort
Advocacy being made to create Desert National Park on 2 November 1980 at International Symposium on Bustards at Jaipur by (left to right) Dr. Salim Ali,
R.S. Dharmakumarsinhji, and Harsh Vardhan. Sitting behind is Arun Sen, then Assistant Conservator of Forest, Alwar. Photo from TWSI archives.
Meeting with BNHS Director in Jaipur on 3 February 2021 in which TWSI Volunteers discussed a number of aspects of bird conservation in which BNHS plays a
lead role and needs to spread out all over India. Photo shows (left to right) Durga Lal Verma, Nishant Nath Shukla, Pranav Trivedi, Dr. Bivesh Pandav
(Director at BNHS), Rahul Sharma, Harsh Vardhan, Arti Yadav and Govind Yadav.
Edited and published by Harsh Vardhan, Hony. Secretary, Tourism & Wildlife Society of India (TWSI)
C 158A. Dayanand Marg, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur 302 004, India (assisted by Govind Yadav, Nishant Shukla and Summit Bari),
Tel. : (00 91 141) 3561057, Email: [email protected], www.birdfair.org & www.econservationtimes.com
Design and layout by Manish Sharma and printed by It’s A Design Studio, Adarsh Nagar, Jaipur; Email : [email protected]