2008-'09 - Kerala Forest Research Institute

Annual Report 2008-09
butterflies. KFRI has set up three parks- 1) in the KFRI main campus at Peechi, 2)
in the KFRI subcentre at Nilambur and 3) at Thenmala in the Ecotourism area.
Attempts are also being made to establish such parks at Pathiramanal and Akkulam.
In a pilot study carried out at KFRI in a 0.5 ha area where about 150 plant species belonging
to different plant families were introduced, 4509 sightings of 43 species of butterflies were
recorded during the first half of the project (i.e., after 18 months) and 5993 sightings of 56
species of butterflies during the second half (i.e., after 36 months). The butterflies sighted
from the garden included 8 species that are endemic to the Western Ghats and 10 species
having protected status under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. Along with the
enhancement in the floral diversity and the resultant butterfly diversity, there was increase
in the overall diversity of the area, particularly of insects, spiders, reptiles and birds.
Butterfly garden at Nilambur is a component of the Bioresources Nature Park.
Besides maintaining the garden, attempts were also made to impart insight into
the life history, behaviour and role of butterflies in sustaining natural ecosystems.
Butterflies sighted in the garden included Common Mime, Common Rose, Crimson
Rose, Lime Butterfly, Blue Mormon, Southern Birdwing, Glassy Blue Tiger, Blue
Tiger, Dark Blue Tiger, Emigrants and Grass Yellows. The plants maintained in
the garden included larval host plants such as Citrus, Albizia, Cassia, Cinnamomum,
Aristolochia and nectar plants like Ixora, Lantana, Mussaenda, Marigold, Zinnia
and Clerodendrum. Repair work of the cascade set up for maintaining the humidity
regime of the garden was also undertaken.
Establishment of a Taxonomic Garden in the KFRI Sub Centre Campus
About 2 ha area near the Bioresources Nature Park was selected and the weeds were
cleared for the establishment of a taxonomic garden. The collection of plants was
initiated at the rate of one to three species for each angiosperm family. The
collection of propagules was completed for 50 angiosperm families. The plant
propagules were maintained in the nursery established in the Sub Centre Campus.
During the planting season, the propagules were planted in the taxonomic garden.
Site preparation for taxonomic garden
Kerala Forest Research Institute
Propagules planted in the garden
43