Kerala Establishes First Butterfly Sanctuary: Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Renamed

Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary: A Haven for Over 260 Species in Kannur

In a landmark move for species-specific conservation, the Kerala government has officially redesignated the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary. This establishes it as the state's first sanctuary dedicated to butterflies, acknowledging the area's critical role as a premier habitat for Lepidopteran diversity and its unique ecological value.

Legal Notification and Administrative Change
The renaming was formally enacted through SRO No. 1407/2025, issued under Section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. This legal instrument amends the original 1984 declaration of the sanctuary. The change implements a recommendation from the State Board for Wildlife, which underscored the location's extraordinary butterfly populations and enduring ecological significance.

Geographical Setting and Ecological Importance
Spanning approximately 55 square kilometres in Kannur district, the sanctuary was originally notified in 1984. Its terrain comprises evergreen and semi-evergreen forests renowned for spectacular butterfly migrations and mud-puddling phenomena. While celebrated for butterflies, Aralam remains a vital habitat for other threatened species, including the Schedule I Slender Loris. It shares borders with Karnataka's Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, the Kottiyoor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the North Wayanad forest division.

Butterfly Diversity and Migration Records
Decades of systematic surveys have revealed Aralam's exceptional biodiversity. An impressive 266 butterfly species have been documented within its boundaries, representing over 80% of the 327 species found across Kerala. Observers have recorded phenomenal mass migration events, including a sighting of nearly 12,000 Common Albatross butterflies in a five-minute window and the passage of over eight lakh Albatross butterflies on January 11, 2025. Other significant species inhabiting the sanctuary include the Spotted Butterfly, Buddha Mayuri, Rosy, Thalir Neeli, Okila Butterfly, and the Malabar Rose.

Conservation Focus and Habitat Features
The sanctuary is nourished by the Cheenkanni river, which originates in the Brahmagiri ranges. The renaming strategy aims to intensify targeted conservation efforts for the protection, propagation, and sustainable management of butterfly species within their natural ecosystem. This focused approach is designed to elevate ecological awareness and ensure long-term biodiversity conservation in the region.

Exam-Focused Points:

• Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary  is the  first dedicated butterfly sanctuary  in Kerala.

• It was renamed via a notification under the  Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (SRO No. 1407/2025) .

• The sanctuary is home to  266 species  of butterflies, which is  over 80%  of Kerala's total butterfly diversity.

• It is also a key habitat for the  Schedule I Slender Loris .

• The sanctuary was originally established in  1984  and covers  55 sq km  in  Kannur district .