When courtyard turns into a butterfly park

A school teacher, Achuthanandan's garden in Karalmanna near Cherpulassery in Palakkad, Kerala has turned out as a butterfly park. He planted a lot of rattle rod plants which attracts butterflies to add vividness and beauty to his garden.With the vision of butterfly conservation, he distributed samples of rattle pod plants to all the schools in Cherpulassery and Ottapalam sub-districts

Palakkad: Achuthanandan, a school teacher's courtyard looks like a butterfly park. He lives in Karalmanna near Cherpulassery in Palakkad. Out of fondness for butterflies, he planted many rattle pod plants. The plant attracts butterflies and there are over 500 butterflies of different varieties in the garden.

The Nilgiri Tiger butterfly variety, with black and deep blue-spotted wings, (locally referred to as Karineela Kaduva) is the most attractive butterfly visitor here. Butterflies come looking for the rattle rodden plant in the period between July and October. Achuthanandan distributed the butterfly plants to all the schools in Cherpulassery and Ottapalam sub-districts to help butterflies propagate.

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" Butterflies are very crucial in environmental sustainability. Without butterflies, pollination will not happen and we will not be able to eat vegetables and fruits. My son, Badrinath and I take care of the plants and butterflies here and the colourful sight gives us pleasure beyond measure", said Achuthanandan to ETV Bharath reporter.