Iritty (Kannur): Following the Kerala Wildlife Board’s approval to designate the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as a butterfly sanctuary, the government has directed the Chief Wildlife Warden to prepare a comprehensive development plan to transform Aaralam into a full-fledged butterfly village. The Chief Minister had announced the initiative last August, encompassing the sanctuary and surrounding village panchayat areas.

Renowned for its rich biodiversity in flora and fauna, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary has been a hub for butterfly observation and research for over 25 years, standing out among Kerala’s forest areas. Between December and February, migratory butterflies, including the Albatross, arrive in large numbers, performing their mesmerising mud-puddling rituals. The 2025 annual butterfly survey recorded 12,000 butterflies in just five minutes of observation, while a single day saw over four million Albatross butterflies. Among 40 endemic butterfly species found exclusively in the Western Ghats, 27 have been sighted in Aralam.

Boosting livelihoods and eco-tourism

Transforming Aralam into a butterfly village aims to create employment opportunities for locals and promote socio-economic development. The initiative will eliminate human-wildlife conflict, foster environmentally friendly conservation models, and establish a knowledge hub for research, study and awareness. By expanding butterfly habitats, eco-friendly tourism will be encouraged, while agricultural development at Aaralam Farm will integrate butterfly-attracting crops for farm tourism and holistic farm growth. Plans also include developing nurseries for butterfly host plants and establishing butterfly groves.

To achieve these goals, the Forest Department, Aralam Farm, local panchayats including Aralam, Kanichar, Kelakam, Muzhakkunnu, TRDM, the District Promotion Council, universities, research institutions, the Biodiversity Board, other government agencies and local communities will collaborate to prepare a comprehensive development plan. The ultimate aim is to transform Aaralam Butterfly Village into one of the world’s premier butterfly conservation areas, setting a global benchmark for sustainable eco-tourism and biodiversity protection.