Bannerghatta butterfly park to open in July

Bannerghatta butterfly park to open in July
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Rs 2.13 crore butterfly park which is nearing completion will be an added attraction at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP). The park is slated to open in July.

Entomologists at the BBP have already experimented with, and standardised the breeding and rearing procedures for 10 species of butterflies that will be introduced into the proposed butterfly park by the hundreds, BBP Executive Director K.B. Markandaiah told this website’s newspaper.

The landscaped butterfly park which has three domes (the main one covered with transparent polycarbonate sheets), will have several host plants butterflies feed and lay eggs on.

Entomologist and Senior Research Fellow Mahadevappa said that the park would feature about 3,000 butterflies belonging to 20 species to begin with. Others would be added.

‘‘We have studied and catalogued the developmental biology of 18 local species and breeding protocol for 10 species is complete,’’ he added.

According to Deputy Conservator of Forests B. Jayaram, the 1,170 square metre park will have a 150 metre walkway and can accommodate about 100 visitors at a time.

The two adjoining domed structures are for multimedia centre and curio stalls. Beside the park is a 580 square metre rearing house where the butterflies are bred and reared till they are adults.

Then they will be released into the main dome. Also ready is a 200 square metre host plant nursery where the winged wonders’ favourite plants are grown.