Dehradun gets Uttarakhand’s first butterfly gallery celebrating biodiversity

The Research Wing of the Uttarakhand Forest Department has inaugurated the state's first Butterfly Gallery at the Nature Education Centre in Jolly Grant, Dehradun. Designed to educate and inspire, the gallery features high-resolution images showcasing the vibrant butterfly diversity found across Uttarakhand.

Serving both educational and conservation purposes, the gallery aims to raise awareness about the vital ecological roles butterflies play, including pollination, supporting food chains, and maintaining ecosystem balance.

Highlighting the initiative, Sanjiv Chaturvedi, Chief Conservator of Forests (Research), stated, "Butterfly gallery is an attempt to highlight Uttarakhand's remarkable butterfly diversity and promote a greater appreciation for these ecologically significant species. By educating visitors about their role in the ecosystem, we aim to encourage conservation efforts and raise awareness about their protection."

Uttarakhand is home to nearly 500 butterfly species, and the gallery currently exhibits 105 species across five major families—Papilionidae, Hesperidae, Lycanidae, Nymphalidae, and Pieridae. Among the standout species are the shimmering Common Peacock, which is also the state butterfly; the Indian Oakleaf, known for its extraordinary camouflage; the Spangle, with its glossy black wings; the Common Rose, easily recognized by its red body and black wings; and the Indian Red Admiral, a bold, high-altitude species.

The gallery also features detailed information about the host plants essential to different butterfly species. For example, the Astor tree serves as the host for the Common Castor butterfly, while members of the Lamiceae family are vital for the Lemon butterfly.

In addition to vivid imagery, visitors can explore preserved butterfly specimens that showcase intricate wing patterns and color variations. Exhibits also include insights into mud-puddling behavior—where butterflies gather on damp ground to extract vital nutrients—and the full butterfly life cycle from egg to adult.

A standout attraction is the illustrated map and detailed information on Monarch Butterfly Migration, capturing the grandeur of this epic journey spanning approximately 4,800 kilometers and four generations.

To add a poetic touch, the gallery features butterfly-themed verses from renowned poets such as Rabindranath Tagore and Robert Frost, blending art with environmental education.