Central Railway (CR) has set up a butterfly garden on 2000 sq feet space. Earlier was used as dumping ground, in Wadi bunder near New Coaching Complex.
The concept of a Butterfly garden at Wadi Bunder is the first of its kind in Mumbai division, Central railway.
CR’s chief public relations officer Shivaji Sutar said, “This initiative was undertaken in co-ordination with non-governmental organisation Go Shoonya with an aim to conserve and protec endangered species of butterflies.”
The Butterfly garden boasts of a collection of more than 400 species of plants including Dark Blue Tiger (Tirumala Limniace), Blue Mormon, Tawny Rajah (Charaxes Bernardus), Striped Tiger (Danaus Genutia), Orchid Tit, Common Jezebel (Delias Eucharis), Tawny Coster (Acraea Violae) and Restricted Spotted and Flat. Plant species like Champa, Jaswand, Tagar, Ananta, Mogra, Kaner, Lantana, Jamaican spine, Kamini, Lily, Aboli, etc. are which are known to attract butterflies.
There are 150 species of butterflies found in Mumbai. An important element in the food production cycle, butterfly is nature’s best colorful creation.”
The Butterfly garden is a combination of plants. They can host a butterfly through its life cycle and also provide it nectar from flowers. The garden also has Jet watering facilities to provide a vibrant atmosphere.
As part of its contribution towards a Greener Earth, CR has also set up Herbal Gardens at CSMT. Alongwith Igatpuri and a Miyawaki Forest at LTT.
Different species at Butterfly garden
Boasting of a collection of approximately more than 120 and 470 different species of herbal plants and shrubs. The Herbal Garden at CSMT and Igatpuri, which is one of its kind includes herbs like Ashwagandha, Adusa, Ajwain, Apamarg, Bramhi, Elachi, Menthol mint, Pepper, Shatavari, Tulsi , Anjeer, Turmeric, Insulin, Gudmar, Tej patt, Bringraj, Sarpa gandha, Giloi, Clove etc. These are effective remedy against a number of diseases and ailments.
CR has also taken up 1000 Miyawaki plantation activity on Mumbai division on 250 sq.mtr. area at Lokmanya Tilak Terminus. Miyawaki is a fast growing dense plantation system in which about 3 to 4 saplings are planted per square metre.