Mangalore: State's first private butterfly park takes wing at Belvai

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 18: The first private butterfly park in the state located at Kantavara forest in Belvai was inaugurated on Sunday August 18. The park has been set up by Sammilan Shetty.

The park was inaugurated by Isaac Kehimkar, general manager, programmes – Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Mumbai. Sammilan Shetty’s website butterflyparkbelvai.com was also inaugurated on the occasion.

The inauguration ceremony was presided by Dr Shubhalaxmi Vaylure, deputy director of BHNS, Mumbai while MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Dr N A Madhyastha, member Karnataka state wildlife board, Dr Arunachalam Kumar, director, research and development, Nitte University were the chief guest.

Shetty who was always impressed by the dazzling species, has created the first private ‘Butterfly Park of the state’ on the 7.35 acres of his ancestral property located in the foot of Kanthavara forest in Belvai village. Shetty founded the park in 2011, and since then has been planting various host plants, with an aim to create a paradise for the dwindling beauties.

The park hosts more around 113 species and will be open on Sundays between 8.30 am to 12.30 pm which will include presentation by Sammilan Shetty.

Nalin Kumar in his address said ‘By creating a first private butterfly park in the state, Sammilan Shetty has been a role model to all youth’.

There are various dangerous projects coming up in our district which will harm the environment in large extent. Hence this is a good effort by Shetty towards the environment; he said and wished the park to grow as one of the largest in the country.

The achievement of Sammilan in opening a butterfly park without any gain is not an easy task, said Isaac Kehimkar. Briefing in detail about the butterflies, he said India hosts around 1500 species of winged beauties whereas in England it is just 47 which fascinates people.

Calling Western Ghats as a ‘bio-diversity hotspot’, Kehimkar lauded Shetty for preserving butterflies. He also asked parents to encourage their children in this direction.

The butterfly park at Belvai by Sammilan Shetty is second Private Park in the country next to Mumbai, said Dr Shubhalaxmi Vaylure. Our education system is geared only towards larger animals, hence there is need to build interest among students about the smaller animals too. In this direction, the park can be an excellent educational centre for students, she added.

She concluded her remarks by stating that the moment we see a scarcity or a drop in the number of these beautiful winged creatures around us, we should come to the conclusion that this is a sign of danger and hence we must protect the nature.