Nalanda: A one-day butterfly walk was organised at the historic Ratnagiri Hills in Rajgir, Nalanda, as part of September’s nationwide focus on butterfly study, observation and conservation.
The citizen science-based programme was organised by the Magadh Nature Conservation Trust to introduce nature enthusiasts, students and researchers to butterfly diversity, behaviour, threats and conservation, as well as their ecological relationship with plants.
During the walk, experts provided participants with practical field knowledge about butterfly identification, taxonomy, behaviour and activities such as mud-puddling. They also explained the relationship between butterflies and plants and their role in maintaining ecosystems.
Learning butterfly identification in the field
Experts explained that butterfly caterpillars depend on specific host plants for nutrition and development, while adult butterflies feed on nectar from flowers and contribute to pollination.
The interaction between butterflies and plants is therefore mutually important, with plants providing food and habitat while butterflies contribute to pollination and plant reproduction.
Participants were also introduced to the use of the global citizen science platform iNaturalist. They were trained to record their butterfly observations through the app during the walk.
A ‘Butterfly Race’ was also organised, in which participants used their mobile phones to document their observations. Participants who performed particularly well were rewarded by the trust.
Some students from Magadh University expressed interest in conducting research on butterflies and local biodiversity. The trust assured them of possible support for their research activities.
Purple Leaf Blue attracts participants
The walk provided participants an opportunity to observe relatively uncommon butterfly species, including the Purple Leaf Blue and Tawny Rajah.
The Purple Leaf Blue attracted particular attention during the walk, with participants observing it repeatedly and, on some occasions, seeing it land on their hands.
Shivnath Kumar of the Magadh Nature Conservation Trust said around 1,417 butterfly species are found across India, while the organisation has so far recorded around 90 species in Nalanda district.
Butterflies seen as indicators of environmental health
Trust member Sameer Raj expressed concern over rapid development and the loss of natural habitats.
He said insects are often viewed primarily as harmful organisms, while butterflies play an important role in pollination and can serve as indicators of the health of an ecosystem.
The event was attended by wildlife enthusiasts Abhishek and Tinku Raj Yadav, Nalanda College’s Anju Kumari and Chahat Kulin, Youth Action Group’s Aman Kumar, and Nalanda University students Shashank Kashyap, Pradeep Kumar, Anand Kishore and Nishant Raj.
The participants also expressed their commitment to biodiversity and butterfly conservation.
