01/01/2012 : Ovalekarwadi – Butterfly Garden

This place is located on outskirts of Thane(a suburb to the north of Mumbai), at Owla village, off Ghodbunder road. In the midst of concrete jungle, it is the relentless effort of Mr. Rajendra Ovalekar, to convert his approximately two acres land in a butterfly park.

Unlike well-known butterfly gardens in the world, here butterflies are not bred under artificial conditions. Here plants are grown that would provide food, shelter and favorable breeding grounds to the butterflies and compel them to stay. This Garden is open for public only on Sunday’s from 8:30am to 12:30 pm. A very nominal fee of Rs. 50 is charged per person. The day, we had heard about this place, we could not resist ourselves from planning to visit this place. 01/01/2012, first day of the year 2012, could not find a better day than this. I called up Mr. Rajendra, and secured our visit in case it should not get overbooked.

An early morning visit is recommended as butterflies are coldblooded and become increasingly active as the day warms up. Armed with camera kit, we set out, in the morning. We were welcomed by Mr. Rajendra himself. Weather being little cold, butterflies were yet to come out. So by that time Mr. Rajendra explained us about his journey of starting this garden, lifecycle of the butterfly and precautions to be observed during the trip.

For the first timers like us, it is best to be guided by him. He took us around, explaining the life-cycle of a butterfly, pointing to pupa, cocoons and caterpillars on the various kinds of plants, which otherwise our untrained eyes could have missed seeing them.

The garden has more than 70 species of butterflies and on any given day, one can easily see 25 to 30 varieties. The garden is also sometimes visited by migrant species. Species that are easily spotted are the Common Sailor, Common Jezebel, Common Crow, Common Rose, Great Orange Tip, Stripped Tiger and Grey Pansy -- each distinguishable by their colors patterns or shape.

Many Indian butterflies have names alluding to colonial and military terms such as baron and major, because the study of butterflies in India was first pursed by the British officers. We clicked lots of photographs.