2025-08-04

The newly renovated Butterfly Garden, the first of its kind in the heart of a Kerala town and the only one within a district administrative headquarters, was inaugurated on Monday at 10:00 AM by District Collector Mr. John Samuel, IAS. Speaking at the event, the Collector remarked that such gardens are a meaningful medium to reconnect people with nature.

The Butterfly Garden was originally established in 2006 by the Tropical Institute of Ecological Sciences (TIES) under the guidance of the then District Collector. Despite initial doubts about whether butterflies would thrive amidst the noise and bustle of an urban setting, the garden has since attracted around 40 different butterfly species, thanks to the carefully curated host and nectar plants. Informational boards on butterfly species and their associated plants have also been installed to enhance visitor understanding.

Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES, highlighted that the garden is not merely a place of visual delight but also a window into the world of nature. He noted that it is the only butterfly garden situated within an administrative capital in Kerala and has become a valuable learning hub for school and college students. This was the first butterfly garden developed by TIES, an organization that has since gone on to establish over 20 such gardens across South India. TIES continues to maintain and restore the garden with the active involvement of local schools.

Two main categories of plants are cultivated in the garden: host plants and nectar plants. Host plants, such as milkweed, curry leaf, and cinnamon, provide a place for butterflies to lay eggs and for caterpillars to feed. Nectar plants like pentas, cuphea, and clerodendrum offer nourishment to adult butterflies.

The inauguration was presided over by Dr. Punnen Kurian, Director of TIES. Other dignitaries present included ADM Mr. Sreejith, Court Manager Mr. Harinamboothiri, Fr. K.M. George, Mrs. Suminamol K. John (Principal, St. Joseph’s Girls HS School, Kottayam), Butterfly Garden Coordinator Jacob Varghese, Ms. Shobhitha Lakshmi S, Ms. Divya Antony (Faculties, St. Joseph’s Girls HS School, Kottayam), TIES Nature Education Officer Sarath Babu N.B., PRO Anoopa Mathews, and Graphic Designer Jijomon P.P.