Celebrating Big Butterfly Month in Nagpur’s Urban Forests

Nagpur joined the nationwide celebration of Big Butterfly Month 2025 with a series of nature walks held across some of the city’s most beautiful green pockets aimed at raising awareness about butterfly species in Nagpur and the role of butterflies in the ecosystem. The walks were led by Certified Nature Guide Nayanika Bhatia, fondly known in the city as Naturenika. Nayanika has a vibrant experience of conducting over 85+ nature walks and talks across India. After completing her certification from The Naturalist School in 2022, Nayanika has been keeping the methodology of nature walks alive with her unmatched spirit & engaging manner.

Walk 1: Gorewada Bird Sanctuary

The first butterfly walk took place at Gorewada Bird Sanctuary, drawing an enthusiastic crowd of 26 participants. The large turnout was heartening and set an encouraging tone for the month’s activities. Students & teachers from LAD Girl’s College – Green Club Nagpur joined this walk.

Participants enjoyed a memorable morning that included:

• Crossing a small river together, making the walk a real adventure in the wild.
• Playing an engaging round of Butterfly Bingo, a fun way to sharpen observation skills.
• A mix of technical and symbolic discussions on butterfly ecology and their cultural significance.

Several butterfly species were spotted, including Common Mormon, Plain Tiger, Blue Tiger, Lemon Pansy, and Common Crow. The group’s excitement reflected the growing interest in urban biodiversity walks this season.

Walk 2: Japanese Garden

The second walk was held at the Japanese Garden, with 12 participants. Participants spotted species such as the Grass Yellow, Common Jezebel, Crimson Rose and Tiny Grass Blue, while also learning about how butterflies thrive in well-maintained urban green spaces. 

Beyond species sightings, the group took time to slow down and notice the smaller details of the garden — from host plants to caterpillars and the intricate patterns on butterfly wings. Outdoor activities added a playful spirit, with participants enjoying the interactive exercises that helped them connect more deeply with the environment.The walk also included conversations about how urban green spaces act as vital refuges for pollinators, and why conserving them is essential for maintaining balance in our ecosystems. Many participants shared that the experience gave them a fresh perspective on butterflies they had often seen but never paused to truly appreciate.

The second walk was held at the Japanese Garden, with 12 participants. Participants spotted species such as the Grass Yellow, Common Jezebel, Crimson Rose and Tiny Grass Blue, while also learning about how butterflies thrive in well-maintained urban green spaces. Outdoor group activities kept everyone engaged, blending learning with recreation.

Walk 3: Ambazhari Biodiversity Park

The third walk unfolded at Ambazhari Biodiversity Park, another gem among Nagpur’s urban forests. The park’s diverse habitats offered participants an opportunity to observe butterflies in their natural ecosystems, with highlights including sightings of the Striped Tiger, Blue Tiger, Blue Pansy, Crimson Rose and Common Evening Brown. The walk concluded with group reflections on the importance of protecting these urban ecosystems that support both wildlife and community well-being. On this day, collectively the group walked over 10 kms together. Enjoying a morning of both fitness & nature fun. 

Building Excitement Around Urban Biodiversity

Across all three locations, the energy of the groups was contagious. Participants not only identified butterfly species but also took part in outdoor activities that made the sessions interactive and memorable. The walks highlighted how butterflies serve as both ecological indicators and symbols of transformation, reminding us of the delicate balance between humans and nature.

As winter approaches, the best time to be outdoors is arriving across the country as well as in Nagpur. Such citizen awareness walks are being continued by Certified Nature Guide Nayanika through her local initiative – Nagpur Nature Trails.

Contact Email : nayanika.work@gmail.com
Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/naturenika/
Whatsapp : +919930112620