Butterfly Park adds beauty to Byculla Zoo

Mumbaikars have a lot to look forward to at the Byculla zoo. First it was the arrivals of Penguins and now colourful butterflies are being bred in the botanical garden. The condition of animals in Mumbai's zoo may have worsened, but it surely has a thriving botanical garden and trees. Many citizens' groups also take nature trail walks in these gardens. Along with the zoo authorities, the members Save Ranibagh Botanical Garden (SRBGF) have set up a beautiful Butterfly garden nearly a year ago. The idea was to bring it to use of the 53 acre internal land by planning such beautiful initiative. These efforts have seen colourful wings fly, as the new butterflies have been spotted. To attract different species of butterflies, the SRBGF has planted two types of shrubs in the botanical garden. Officials said, one of the larvae food on which butterfly lay their eggs, which are then hatched giving birth to caterpillars on the smooth leaves was witnessed. "Now more number of butterflies are to be seen. The other shrub is for the adult butterflies as they are dependent on its nectar honey. It took about an year for the garden to bloom, since the shrubs take a long time to grow. Moreover, both types of shrubs are needed for butterflies to complete their life cycle," said, Hutokshi Rustomfram trustee, SRBGF. Butterflies usually hatch their eggs on one plant and right now, there are 50 shrubs planted on the 53 acres of land in the zoo. The shrubs planted are Jamaica Blue Spike, Plumbago, Lantana and Periwinkle, among many other varieties.