COLOURFUL PLANS: By enriching plant composition, the authorities at the Karanji Park are hoping to attract more butterflies this year. — Photo: M.A. Sriram

MYSORE: Authorities of the Mysore zoo have begun enriching the plant composition at the Butterfly Park at Karanji Nature Park in the city to attract more butterflies.

With inputs from entomologists, the authorities have begun planting selected species of plants, brought from hill stations and the Malnad region, at the park to not only add to its aesthetic appeal, but also attract butterflies in large numbers.

After the recent showers, gardeners at the park had planted aristocholia and citrus as part of a programme to enrich the plant composition. Besides, a shade at the park had been removed with a view to providing more natural light and attract butterflies.

The zoo authorities are hoping that the plant enrichment programme would yield the desired results by Dasara.

Like most insects, butterflies are also seasonal and they could be seen in large numbers during October and November, which coincides with the Dasara season. After completing the first three stages of their life cycle — laying of eggs, larval stage and pupa stage — the butterflies begin moving to other plants.

Executive Director of Mysore Zoo Manoj Kumar hoped that a butterfly park with a large number of butterflies would make the park more lively.

Meanwhile, the recently held flower show at Karanji Park turned out to be a huge draw with more than 27,000 people visiting it. With the gate collections crossing Rs. 2.5 lakh during the event, the zoo authorities are planning to make the event an annual event.

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