Kolkata's Alipore Zoo to offer open-air butterfly garden

Indian Express

27-05-2025

(Written by Adrija Datta)
Strolling through an open-air butterfly garden offers a peaceful and enriching experience, where visitors can observe butterflies fluttering freely among flowers and greenery.
It fosters a closer connection with nature, while offering insights into the role of these pollinators in the ecosystem.
To bring this experience to the public, the West Bengal Zoo Authority plans to develop an open-air butterfly garden within the Alipore Zoological Garden in Kolkata.
'The open-air butterfly garden will be constructed next to the zoo library. Through this garden, we aim to promote eco-friendly tourism and raise awareness about butterfly conservation and biodiversity,' said Soumen Mondal, Assistant Director of Alipore Zoological Garden.
Unlike enclosed butterfly houses or conservatories, the garden will be open to natural elements, allowing butterflies to move freely in and out.
The project will focus on creating a sustainable, butterfly-friendly habitat.
Extensive landscaping will replicate ideal conditions for butterfly breeding and feeding.
Native host plants—essential for caterpillar nourishment and egg-laying—will be cultivated.
Since different butterfly species rely on specific host plants, a diverse selection will help maintain population diversity and stability.
To support adult butterflies, nectar-rich flowering plants such as lantana, zinnias, pentas, and butterfly bush (Buddleja) will be planted.
These species are well-suited to the local climate and are known to attract native butterflies, encouraging regular activity throughout the year.
With an estimated construction cost of Rs 4,95,937, the butterfly garden will be a significant addition to Alipore Zoo's eco-tourism offerings.
(The writer is an intern with The Indian Express.)