Description

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Context:

On June 18, the Kerala State Wildlife Board renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary.

Aspect	Details
Location	Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Kannur district, Kerala; part of the Western Ghats (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Species Diversity	Over 266 recorded butterfly species; accounts for 80% of Kerala’s butterfly diversity. Includes rare and endangered species.
New Discoveries	New butterfly species continue to be identified, showing the sanctuary’s ecological richness.
Conservation Role	Dedicated protected habitat; safeguards migration corridors; promotes eco-tourism, awareness, and research in butterfly conservation.
Migration Period	December to February: hosts large butterfly migration events.
Migratory Species	Includes Common Albatross and various Danaine species.
Historical Context	Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1984; site of annual butterfly surveys for 20+ years with Malabar Natural History Society.
Ecological Importance	Butterflies are pollinators; contribute to ecological balance; and rely on unique climate and mineral-rich waters from Brahmagiri ranges.