Kerala Gets India’s First Butterfly Sanctuary With 266+ Species & It Looks Like a Dream

In the dense green heart of Kerala’s Western Ghats, a rare kind of sanctuary has taken shape — one built not for tigers or elephants, but for creatures often overlooked: butterflies.

On 18 June 2025, the Kerala State Wildlife Board officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it India’s first protected forest dedicated entirely to butterflies.

This historic recognition comes after 25 years of patient effort, careful surveys, and the unwavering belief of researchers, forest officials, and local nature lovers — that even the smallest wings deserve a safe home.

Spanning 55 square kilometres in the lush folds of tropical and semi-evergreen forest, the renamed sanctuary is one of the richest butterfly habitats in Kerala, with over 266 recorded species — more than 80 percent of all butterflies found in the state. Some of these are endangered, while others exist nowhere else on Earth.

From December to February each year, the sanctuary becomes a stage for a magical migration. Hundreds of butterflies, including the elegant Common Albatross and various Danaine species, travel down from the hills, following rivers and sunlight. Their soft and colourful wings trace invisible paths through the trees, creating a spectacle that draws butterfly watchers, photographers, and nature enthusiasts from across the country.

Since its establishment in 1984, Aralam has been a favourite among researchers and conservationists. For more than 20 years, the State Forest Department has partnered with the Malabar Natural History Society to carry out annual butterfly surveys. One of the highlights of the sanctuary’s calendar is the Butterfly Migration Study, held every January or February, which celebrates this seasonal movement and deepens understanding of these pollinators.

Wildlife warden G Pradeep noted that new species are still being discovered in the forest, adding to its ecological importance. The recent official declaration as a butterfly sanctuary is not just symbolic; it brings hope for increased funding, focused conservation, and stronger protection of this fragile ecosystem.

India’s first butterfly sanctuary is now on record — a clear shift in how we value biodiversity. The wings that once fluttered unnoticed now hold a big place on India’s conservation map.

Edited by Khushi Arora