In a significant corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative, iNaturewatch Foundation, a Kharghar-based NGO, has partnered with Publicis Groupe, a multinational company, to establish Butterfly Gardens in ten police stations across Navi Mumbai, from Panvel to Nerul.

The project, aimed at enhancing green spaces and improving workplace environments, has been in progress for the past month. The first butterfly garden, created at the Commissioner’s Office, was inaugurated on Monday. “ The corporate firm wanted to do some tree plantation acivity, we suggested to have butterfly garden,” said Dr. V. Shubhalaxmi, Founder and Managing Trustee  of the foundation.

A total of 300 saplings were planted in each of the police stations on a 500 sqft area.

“The plantation work was done from the end of December, in places where gardens are already present we have integrated the butterfly garden. Now that the plantation work is over we are in the process of placing informative signages that provide details about the plant,” said the founder. 

The initiative will be monitored for a year to assess its impact on biodiversity and the as well on the environment of the police station. “We will be documenting the effect of the garden like whether  the police officials find it relaxing, whether the presence of butterflies helps in coping with stress etc,” adds the founder.

The gardens feature a mix of nectar plants like pentas, periwinkle, marigold, and powder puff, which attract butterflies, along with host plants such as lime, curry leaves, oleander, and champa, crucial for butterfly larvae. The project aims to attract species like Common Mormon, Palm Fly, Grass Yellow, and Red Pierrot etc.

A local caretaker has been appointed at each site for watering, de-weeding, and mulching, while the iNaturewatch Foundation team will conduct monthly visits for monitoring. “Additionally, small ponds and butterfly feeders will soon be installed to enhance the ecosystem further,” said the founder.

With the first phase completed, the project now enters the maintenance and observation stage, ensuring long-term environmental and aesthetic benefits while promoting biodiversity conservation.