Coimbatore city’s first butterfly park getting ready at Vellalore tank

Explore 101 butterfly species in Coimbatore's first butterfly park at Vellalore tank, a semi-urban wetland with a Miyawaki forest.

The first butterfly park in Coimbatore city is getting ready at Vellalore tank, a semi-urban waterbody in the Noyyal river system that is home to a variety of avifauna and insects.

The butterfly park project, which commenced in April this year, has successfully completed its phase one construction.

Initiated by the Kovai Kulangal Padhukappu Amaippu (KKPA), the butterfly park is soon to be opened to the public, right after the completion of the phase two work. The park, coming up on the tank bund in a patch of 50 metre width and 300 metre length, will serve as a testament of a positive human-environment interaction, according to KKPA.

A year-long survey conducted by The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) identified 101 butterfly species within the vicinity of the tank and the adjacent Miyawaki forest. In addition to the recorded species, the experts from TNBS spotted a new variety, Common nawab, following the conclusion of Phase one.

According to A. Pavendhan of TNBS, the 101 species of butterflies recorded in the tank belonged to five major families. Some of the major species that are found in the semi-urban biological hotspot include Bamboo tree brown, Medus brown and Chocolate albatross, which are predominantly forest species seeking shelter in the wetland. 

“Wherever there is a butterfly, we tend to follow. It is as simple as that. At Vellalore, every month we used to have a few good species added to the list, so that is how the interest in Vellalore grew”, he added.

The corporate social responsibility funds from Milacron India Private Limited (Mold Masters Division) provided the primary sponsorship for the culmination of phase one, which encompasses the construction of the butterfly garden and a walkway.