The initiative by a college club has identified over 40 species

At a casual glance, the garden within Sri Venkateswara Engineering College (SVCE) premises in Irungattukottai, seems just that. However, the place is actually a butterfly garden.

The garden, created as part of the Eco Club activity in the college, has not only attracted butterflies to the place but also, an award from the United Nations. The award carries a prize of US $750 to go towards maintaining the garden.

B. Sahana, a final year B.Tech (Bio Tech), student, and a volunteer with CARE, the eco club of the college, said the garden was formed as part the club’s activities. “Soon after the garden was created, we learnt about the United Nation’s competition for college students of South Asia region called Hand Challenge: A Sustainability Challenge for Students. It was supported by the United Nations Environment Programme.”

The butterfly garden project was documented to be sent to the UN, which accepted it as one of the entries. “Later, we came to know that it was among the top 20 entries selected,” said another volunteer T. Ramashree. Following the success of this project, a few more similar gardens would be created on the premises, she said.

A total of nearly 40 species of butterflies have been identified by the volunteers of the club, said T.S. Saai Anugraha. In order to attract butterflies, 20 species of nectar-yielding saplings were planted.

A well-maintained lawn alone will not attract butterflies, other insects or smaller life forms. The students are also in the process of listing the number of butterflies found in the premises and will bring out a booklet on it.