Butterflies: India
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[http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/uncommon-winged-beauties-make-presence-felt-in-singur/article19897460.ece Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu] | [http://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/uncommon-winged-beauties-make-presence-felt-in-singur/article19897460.ece Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu] | ||
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''69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded in a study by the Zoological Survey of India'' | ''69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded in a study by the Zoological Survey of India'' | ||
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| − | A | + | A study by researchers of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) shows for the first time that thehamlet is home to at least 69 species of butterflies. “A total of 69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded from the study area. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant among the five families with 22 species, followed by Lycaenidae, comprising of 19 species,” the paper titled ‘A study of butterfly diversity in Singur’ says. |
Researchers found butterflies in the rice and vegetable fields of the area, as well as in bushes and shrubs along railway lines and National Highways. | Researchers found butterflies in the rice and vegetable fields of the area, as well as in bushes and shrubs along railway lines and National Highways. | ||
Revision as of 04:22, 22 October 2017
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
Contents |
2001: Children Development Khazana
Nandini Vaish April 24, 2009 It is an idea that children can bank on, well, literally. The Children Development Khazana started by development organisation Butterflies works like a cooperative bank run by street children for street children.
Earlier called a bank, Khazana had to drop the formal title due to RBI guidelines, which state that only institutions with licences can be called banks. Founded in 2001, Khazana has 405 members, though most have shifting accounts as they form a floating population. As of February, it had savings of Rs 1.3 lakh—mostly used by children for food and visits to their families. Rita Panicker, director, Butterflies says: “If the children have nowhere to put their money, it ends up being stolen or wasted in drugs and gambling.” Khazana has 15 collection points in Delhi where children can deposit their money, while the branch itself is located in a alley near the old Delhi Railway Station. It opens for a couple of hours every evening to allow children to withdraw cash and even take small loans. The children themselves decide whom to give a loan to. “Giving them the power to make decisions is preparing them for life,” Panicker says.
Members can open two types of accounts—a savings account and a current or chalta-phirta account. The manager is elected from among them once every six months and the functioning of the bank is decided through monthly meetings. Those elected are taught the basic principles of banking and one of the most important rules for that person is to be polite to others.
As Khazana develops accountability in children by making them stakeholders, NGOs have approached Butterflies to help them develop the model. Today Khazana is present in eight Indian cities and internationally in Afghanistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Kyrgyzstan. The institute now plans a mobile banking centre which will go about town. Truly an idea whose time has come.
Statistics, state-wise
Delhi
2017: First butterfly count, Delhi
69 butterfly species recorded in NCR, September 24, 2017: The Times of India
Butterfly lovers and lepidopterists were delighted with the results of the first `butterfly count' in NCR, recording 69 species in the region. The results were announced on Saturday in an event which also saw butterfly enthusiasts submit the names of four butterflies -one of which will be chosen as the state butterfly of the capital.
Armed with a checklist and cameras in their hands, hundreds of people had set out across different parts of NCR to take part in the first ever butterfly count for Delhi. Organised by the conservation education centre (city wing of Bombay Natural History Society), the census was part of the butterfly month which aimed to provide an accurate and updated list of butterfly species found in the region.
Among the rare and uncommon butterflies recorded included psyche, chocolate pansy , Indian red flash, red pierrot, chocolate pansy , African babul and painted lady some of which were sighted after several years.
Karnataka
2016/ Southern Bird Wing: State butterfly of Karnataka
Mohit M. Rao, September 22, 2016: The Hindu
The red and yellow stripes of the insect matches the colours of the State flag
Fluttering with distinctive red and yellow stripes amongst the verdant green of the Western Ghats, the Southern Bird Wing butterfly was in-principle approved to become the “State butterfly” of Karnataka.
The proposal for the State butterfly was given approval from the State Wildlife Board during its meeting on Wednesday, said B. Ramanath Rai, Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment.
This makes Karantaka the second State in the country after Maharashtra to adopt a State butterfly. Maharashtra chose the Blue Mormom butterfly as its State butterfly a year ago.
The proposal to adopt Southern Bird Wing butterfly as the State butterfly had been sent by Sanjay Mohan, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Research and Utilisation).
“We short-listed a few butterflies and selected the Southern Bird Wing as its colours match the colours of the Karnataka Flag,” Mr. Mohan said.
The Southern Bird Wing is the largest butterfly in India, with the females growing up to 190 mm in length. Primarily endemic to South India, it is found in abundance in Karnataka.
“As it is easily sighted, we can hope that more people become aware of the importance of butterflies in the eco-system. These are important pollinators, and their preservation is necessary for the eco-system,” said Nitin R., an entomologist with the National Centre for Biological Sciences.
However, he said there could be a downside to this, particularly as the declaration of a State butterfly does not come with the additional protection.
With this particular species of butterfly shooting to prominence, there could be a chance of the colourful creature being targeted and becoming collectibles, he added.
West Bengal
2017: Butterflies in Singur
Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu
From: Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu
From: Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu
From: Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu
From: Shiv Sahay Singh, October 21, 2017: The Hindu
69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded in a study by the Zoological Survey of India
A study by researchers of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) shows for the first time that thehamlet is home to at least 69 species of butterflies. “A total of 69 species of butterflies belonging to 54 genera and five families were recorded from the study area. Family Nymphalidae was the most dominant among the five families with 22 species, followed by Lycaenidae, comprising of 19 species,” the paper titled ‘A study of butterfly diversity in Singur’ says.
Researchers found butterflies in the rice and vegetable fields of the area, as well as in bushes and shrubs along railway lines and National Highways.
No forested land
Singur has no forested land and the area is known for rice, potato and vegetable cultivation.
Mr. Dey said that more intensive studies on different ecological parameters that can help access diversity of Singur’s fauna are being planned.
The presence of so many species of butterflies has provided a great deal of joy to the farmers who had waged a long battle against the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) led West Bengal government against the acquisition of 997 acres of agricultural land for Tata Motors’ Nano car plant in Singur.
“While our struggle was aimed at the return of the land acquired for the proposed car plant, we are happy that it has helped the environment of Singur. There would have not so many butterflies had the car plant been operational,” said Mahabdeb Das, a farmer who was at the forefront of the land acquisition struggle. He was pleasantly surprised to learn about the butterfly diversity of the region.
On August 30, 2017, the Supreme Court quashed the Left Front government’s acquisition of 997 acres of agricultural land for the car plant in Singur. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee returned the acquired land to farmers on September 14, 2016.
