Pune's Butterfly Walks: A Colorful Journey into Conservation
Take a stroll on a nearby tekdi or along the Mula-Ramnadi sangam in Baner, and you are guaranteed a visual delight, thanks to the diverse butterflies spotted in these areas. This growing curiosity about these delicate insects inspired citizen-led initiatives like Jeevitnadi and the Pune River Revival Project to launch weekly butterfly walks, transforming Sunday mornings into vibrant and joyful experiences for Punekars.
Why Attend Butterfly Walks?
Rajat Joshi, a butterfly expert who leads these community walks through Pune's natural landscapes, explains, "These activities spark a basic interest in the species. That interest later evolves into awareness, which ultimately fuels conservation efforts." Abhijeet Athawale, a chartered accountant and regular participant, adds, "I encourage people around me to join these walks so they become aware and contribute to conservation."
Butterflies to Spot in Summer
During the summer months, enthusiasts can observe a variety of species, including:
- Common Cerulean
- Tiny Grass Blue
- Line Blue sp
- Plains Cupid
- Evening Brown/Bushbrown
- Common Mormon
- Jezebel
Nature Inspires a Sense of Community
The walks typically begin around 9 am, an ideal time to witness butterfly activity. Abhijeet, who is also part of the Butterfly Watchers community, shares his experience: "Last year, I visited Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary and saw a kaleidoscope of butterflies. It left me in awe, like everything in nature, and deepened my involvement in tracking them. There's something special about these tiny species that keeps you hooked."
Where to Spot Them?
Prime locations for butterfly spotting in and around Pune include:
- Tamhini Jungle
- Sinhagad Valley
- Vetal tekdi
- Baner tekdi
- Mhatobagad tekdi
- Grasslands of Saswad and Mayureshwar
- River tracts of Ramnadi, Mula, and Mutha River
The cost for participation ranges from ₹200 to ₹350 per person, with details for each walk shared on the social media pages of Jeevitnadi, Pune River Revival Project, and Ecological Society Pune.
