Chennai: The colours are back at Vandalur zoo’s butterfly garden, which reopened to visitors on Saturday after a major renovation.Spread over 2.7 hectares near Otteri Lake, the garden was launched around 10 years ago to support the complete life cycle of butterflies, from egg to winged adult. Zoo deputy director Manish Meena said the park, already one of the zoo’s most popular attractions, has been upgraded with improved infrastructure, naturalistic features and interactive facilities.At its heart is an indoor butterfly conservatory shaped like a caterpillar, where new polycarbonate sheets have been installed and different colour themes introduced to create varied lighting and a more immersive visual ambience.The park houses larval and pupal rearing rooms, alongside dedicated host and nectar gardens that supply plants for butterfly breeding and feeding.Old railings have given way to bamboo ones, lending the park a more organic feel, while the conservatory received a stainless-steel mesh. The park’s fountains have also been renovated, enhancing the landscape and microenvironment, he said.The interpretation centre, too, has had a makeover, with new displays and self-learning kiosks that let visitors study butterfly species, trace life cycles, and even design their own virtual butterflies.Authorities said the renovation is meant to deepen public awareness about butterflies and their ecological role. A butterfly release programme will be held every Saturday at 11.30am.
