On World Sparrow Day (20 March 2021), conservation groups launched a National Appeal to conserve Butterflies so as to sustain human life better.
By Harsh Vardhan
Conservation groups joined hands together on this World Sparrow Day (20 March 2021) and launched a National Appeal to conserve Butterflies so as to sustain human life better. Why such an initiative?
Because Butterflies are no one’s baby in India. They are listed in India’s Wildlife Protection Act. But it has caused a curfew-like situation on their survival. The Act is administered by Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change. Some senior most forest officials are on board. Their capability is beyond doubt. However, too many issues could have bogged down their thinking.
The Appeal was magnified through a colour-banner saying: “Butterfly Conservation, Care for Host-plants to invite Butterflies at home, the National Appeal, 20 March 2021.” It displayed photos of the species along with couple of logos — Department of Forest, Rajasthan and Tourism & Wildlife Society of India (TWSI). Some seventy men-women-children joined hands together at the event held at KC Kulish Memorial Forest in Jaipur. A Butterfly Walk followed the programme.
Rajasthan’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forest and Head of Forest Force, Ms. Shruti Sharma herself led the event. She heard the woes of such insects and assured: let us know what concrete actions are to be mooted and we shall take up the issues even with the DG, Forest in the Ministry. The Chief Conservator of Forest, KC Meena vouched to stand by this Appeal to ensure it would attain the objectives. Both are confirmed decision-maker conservationists, albeit in the Government. Butterfly-Mugs were released and gifted to all.
Govind Yadav, Nishant Nath Shukla and Rahul Sharma made a slide-presentation on the species to highlight that only the individual experts were toiling hard to alter the clauses as levied in the Act. Naveen Singh conveyed that Butterflies Parks were not being set up by social groups or industry-business as consent was not available from the Central Zoo Authority of India. Nothing short of mess for these beautiful flyers having very short span of life, he added.
What happened to Rs 5-crore given by Jaipur Development Authority to Forest Department, Rajasthan, to set up a Butterfly Park within KC Kulish Memorial Forest? Rukmani Haldia, a retired Additional Chief Secretary, Rajasthan, questioned at the meeting. A check-list of plants was circulated to all, naming host-plants needed by Butterflies. Let us protect such trees to ensure the species remain in good stead. Monthly Butterfly Events will follow at the same venue, thanks to forest department. Welcome to gain greater satisfaction through such a drive, join hands together, contact: 98290 62445 and email: birdfair1@hotmail.com.
The event also marked the 24th Indian Birding Fair, held this year in parts owing to prevailing conditions. A publication has been brought out on Butterflies of India, which can be obtained via email.
Ms. Pramendra Khangarot, Teacher Coordinator at MGD Girls’ School, informed that she would enroll students to lend their strength to the species like what we had done for House Sparrows a few years ago.
The photo caption, left to right: Govind Yadav, Anand Mishra (TWSI President), Rupali, Shruti Sharma (PCCF-HOFF), KC Meena (CCF), Veer Singh Ola (DFO), and N.N. Shukla, releasing the Butterfly Appeal on 20 March 2021.
