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Kallar 200– A long term TNBS Study on Kallar Butterflies
This (200 species) is almost two-thirds of the num-
bers that of the target number of butterfly species
for the state of Tamil Nadu (which stands at 324).
The Nymphalidae and Lycaenidae families share the
top honours with 58 species each. Papilionidae and
Pieridae are well represented too. The Hesperiidae
family, however, is by proportion least represented
with just 46 species. Average no of species works out
to 40 species per study visit with maximum of closer
to 100 and a minimum of 11 species (just once dur-
ing the driest period in 2016).
Fig 1: Family wise distribution of butterflies sighted at Kallar
Migration of Butterflies
Kallar falls under the migration route of butterflies. The Milkweed Danainae butterflies, namely Dark Blue Tiger, Blue Tiger,
Common Crow and Double-branded Crow regularly migrates through Kallar on either direction before the onset of South West
and North East Monsoon. Common Albatross, which make mass movements through Aralam in Kerala, then takes a direction
towards Nilgiri Biosphere and at times, reaches Kallar in good numbers. We however, suspect this is in small scale, and may not
happen every year, and Kallar falls under the fag end of the migratory route. During Summer months, Common Emigrants in
thousands make migratory movement. While the Milkweed butterflies make use of land and the river to migrate, the Emi-
grants are predominantly through river. Albatross movement is not visibly seen. Two major population outburst is recorded in
Kallar, one in 2016 of Common Emigrant and another in 2018 of Lime Butterflies. These are freak incidences and was not re-
peated or not seen in the same scale in the last 10 years.
Recommendations
A total of 200 species within a short exposure area surveyed confirms the super richness of the butterfly availability and den-
sity at Kallar Reserve Forest. When more protected area is surveyed beyond the current allowed public access through system-
atic surveys along with forest department, we expect the count to raise. All these observations are made over naturally avail-
able host and nectar plants, stressing the fact that primary focus is to retain the available forest cover and not much focus is
required to add more host and nectar plants here. Conservation efforts must be focussed on the retention of critical plants
especially during clearing of vegetation within and outside the Garden area.
Systematic surveys and studies may be commenced on long-term to ensure the continuous assessment of butterflies; butterfly
presence indicates a healthy eco-system and can act as measure of the overall eco-system.
Declaration of Kallar as “Super Butterfly Hotspot” is highly recommended. This place can be a model to other potential hot-
spots on the natural way of maintaining the biodiversity despite unavoidable human intervention. Eco-tourism on the con-
trolled scale by forest department can be encouraged.
Acknowledgements
The Nature and Butterfly Society (TNBS) sincerely thanks the members of the society and all other participants during the stud-
ies and walks. The Society also thank the on-line forum members of sharing the lists and their important findings from Kallar.
The society also thank the staff and management of Garden, who have shown so much interest and support during the visits.
The society sincerely thank the Coimbatore Forest Division, Tamil Nadu Forest Department, providing permissions when re-
quired and sought. Our sincere thanks to the past and current District Forest Officers, Rangers and staff for the support pro-
vided.
Key Study Members: Balakrishnan R, Gopalakrishnan S, Nishanth CV, Pavendhan A, Ramanasaran H, Theivaprakasham H,
Viswanathan S and Sravan Kumar K.
PATTAMPOOCHI
A TNBS MAGAZINE
WINGS 4 VEINS 1
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