Chasing butterflies

The blue oakleaf in the six-week-long course

Dubbed the Butterfly Man of India, Isaac Kehimkar, chairman and director, iNaturewatch, first started watching butterflies after college. He wishes though, that he had started sooner. In an attempt to introduce others to this fascinating world, he will be conducting a six-week-long beginner's course on butterflies. "It teaches you how to watch them, how to attract them and makes you fall in love with them. I discovered India through them," Kehimkar says about his passion.

Will also talk about the baronet

The course was scheduled before the lockdown was announced and included field visits to gardens. But now, it will be a strictly indoors course. "We will help participants create their own windowsill butterfly garden instead so you don't have to go outside to watch them," explains Kehimkar, recounting two senior members in a batch who created their own butterfly gardens in Matunga and Dadar. While the course, he tells us, is meant for beginners, those interested can pursue further studies in the subject. "The course will enable participants to distinguish the vast number of butterfly species in India and learn how to document them, too," says Kehimkar, adding that it is a healthy hobby and inculcates a love for nature. "It can turn children into naturalists, and teach them to conserve and protect the environment. Studying butterflies is also important for understanding climate change," he says.

Isaac Kehimkar

The course will be interactive with guest lectures every Sunday including one by Dr V Shubhalaxmi, founding member, iNaturewatch. "We will also assist students with queries on WhatsApp groups and remain in touch after the course," Kehimkar says. One of the advantages of an interest in butterflies, he explains, is being able to attend international conferences even as an amateur. "Unlike other fields, most conferences are open to those interested in learning about butterflies," he says.

On May 1 onwards
Log on to inaturewatch.org
Cost Rs 3,000

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai news, crime news, current affairs, and a complete guide from food to things to do and events across Mumbai. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news