Butterfly Zones

• Location: Govardhan Ecovillage (108km north of Mumbai)
• Funding agency: ISKON
• Site / NGO Partner: GEV
• Project duration: Oct' - Dec' 2017
• No. of plants: 3000 saplings

LEC was appointed as a consultant to develop the butterfly and bird zone at GEV. LEC conducted a survey of bird and butterfly population at GEV, developed plan of the butterfly and bird zone plantation, suggested installations for the zones, developed educational materials like bird and butterfly brochure, 50 plant signages and 15 outdoor exhibits on birds and butterflies for the GEV. Total 63 bird species from 37 families and 64 butterfly species from 5 families were recorded at GEV during the three months survey.

• Location: Yusuf Meherally Centre (YMC), Tara, Panvel.
• Funding agency: DCB Bank
• Site / NGO Partner: iNaturewatch Foundation
• Project duration: Sep 2018 -  Aug 2019
• No. of plants: 1000 saplings of host plants and nectar plants

Yusuf Meherally Centre, is a development NGO working with local communities. They run a school for tribal students within the premises. It has a open space that was converted into butterfly habitats.   Our year long project of developing a butterfly habitat for Yusuf Meherally Centre at Tara for DCB Bank's CSR project. The project concluded on a greener note as the total survival rate of plants was 100% .We planted 1043 which got multiplied into 1383.The butterfly diversity too increased from 31 to 41 species, adding 10 new species to the site. Also 122 employees of DCB Bank volunteered for more than 700 hours in creating and maintaining the habitat. The butterfly habitat soon became a tourist attraction and was visited by around 1800 students and citizens.   

•   Location: Sliding Stone Tree Park ), Yelahanka, Bangalore
• Funding agency: Wells Fargo India
• Site / NGO Partner: KFD & KSHGRDO
• Project duration: Mar' 2016 - Mar' 2019
• No. of plants: 5000 saplings 
• Popularly known as Jarakbande Kaval Forest Reserve. Wells Fargo India Solution took an initiative to enhance the park by establishing the butterfly habitat on a 2 acre land. The garden was developed in June 2016 and now butterfly habitat is attracting 42 species of butterflies against 18 known prior the project intervention. The park now not only witness butterflies but one could also spot birds, insects and replies. Free Butterfly Awareness Programmes for educations institutions was also carried out for the school students. 

• Location: Urban Haat, CBD Belapur, Mumbai
• Funding agency: Mahindra Susten Pvt. Ltd
• Site / NGO Partner: CIDCO Ltd
• Project duration: July 2016 - June 2017
• No. of plants: 1000 saplings of host plants and nectar plants.

It is the most visited site inside CIDCO Urban Haat. Plant survival of 76% was recorded. The number of butterfly species has increased to 16 species from 4 species since the establishment of the garden. However in the entire Urban Haat 28 butterfly species are now known which is seven times higher. The plants are tagged to impart knowledge about these to the visitors. Regular CSR-Employee Engagement Programmes are conducted here to help the garden to be maintained. We conduct activities like nature trail, de-weeding, mulching, plant clippings, preparing sapling bags, tree tagging.

• Location: Shri Jayeshwar Vidyamandir, Dengachimet, Jawahar
• Funding agency: Tata Motors Ltd.
• Site / NGO Partner: BAIF MITTRA
• Project duration: Mar' 2015 - Mar' 2018
• No. of plants: 10,000 saplings of hostplants and nectar plants.

We created a butterfly habitat on a dry and barren land. The place is now turned into a mini forest full of myriad colours of flowers and butterflies. There has been 100% survival rate.  37 species of butterflies, 15 species of other insects, 6 species of birds, and 2 species of reptiles were recorded compared to zero species prior the project. The soil quality has improved showing increase in the population of the earthworms. Entire school has become butterfly savvy with increase of their population and sightings.  Students attendance has improved.  Tourists have also started visiting the school premises for butterfly watching. 

SEE VIDEO

• Location: Maharashtra Nature Park, Sion, Mumbai
• Funding agency: Tata Motors Ltd.
• Site / NGO Partner: OASIS
• Project duration: Mar’ 2015 - Mar’ 2018
• No. of plants: 7000 saplings

This was the first site that was developed into a butterfly habitat. 30 species of saplings were planted here on complete barren land. The habitat was well established during the first year however the survival rate of the plants at this site was hampered due to water shortage and lack of maintenance. 33 butterfly species were recorded post establishment of the habitat.

• Location: C. D Deshmukh Udyan, Mulund, Mumbai
• Funding agency: Tata Motors Ltd.
• Site / NGO Partner: OASIS & MCGM Horticulturist Department
• Project duration: Mar' 2015 - Mar' 2018
• No. of plants: 7000 saplings of host plants  and nectar plants.

This is an unique ecosystem plantation approach as we have fit in the butterfly plants without disturbing the conventional look of the well pruned garden. A second line of nectar and host plants all along the edges of the garden was created. The survival rate at this site was hampered due to the renovation work of the garden. However in terms of butterflies we were able to record 29 species of butterflies compared to zero species prior the project.

• Location: Nizampet Lake, Hyderabad
• Funding agency: Wells Fargo India
• Site / NGO Partner: Youth for Seva
• Project duration: Aug 2018- Jan 2020
• No. of plants: 5000 saplings of host plants and nectar plants 

To improve the lake ecology, a vegetative strip of butterfly-attracting plants was planted along the periphery of the lake. This plantation transformed the place as there was increased activity of butterflies, bees and birds.