Survey begins to map butterfly diversity in Keralam’s Silent Valley

PALAKKAD A butterfly survey began at Silent Valley National Park in Palakkad on Friday. About 50 researchers, butterfly enthusiasts, nature lovers and trained volunteers are taking part in the three-day study. The survey, organised jointly by the Kerala Forests and Wildlife department and the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS), will continue until Sunday (November 15). Wildlife Warden G. Harikrishnan Nair inaugurated the survey.

Teams are covering 14 locations in the park and its buffer areas: Anavai, TK Colony, Kannampally, Keerippara, Mukkali, Neelikkal, Panthanthode, Poochippara, Sairandhri, Sispara, Thathengalam, Thudukki, Uppukulam and Walakkad. V.S. Vishnu, assistant wildlife warden, Sreejith A.P., Bhavani range forest officer, and B. Shiju, wildlife assistant, are coordinating the fieldwork. Researchers Muhamed Jafer Palot, V.C.

Balakrishnan, Balakrishnan Valappil, Chandrasekharan V.K. and Abdul Riyas K. are guiding the survey. The teams will identify butterfly species, prepare a checklist and study their distribution across different heights and habitats.