Rare butterfly and mushroom species spotted at Kalesar park

GURUGRAM: The state

forest

and wildlife department undertook on Thursday a

mushroom

and

butterfly

survey to explore and preserve the rich diversity of fungi, flora and fauna at Kalesar National Park and

Wildlife Sanctuary

in Yamunanagar district.

According to officials, eight teams identified a total of 55

species

of mushrooms and 50 species of butterflies during the day-long survey. Of these, at least three — Indian Angled Pierrot, Yamfly and Common Nawab — were found to be rare butterfly species. Five rare mushroom species were also identified.

“We have recorded rare species of both butterflies and mushrooms which were never observed in this part of the country before,” said Harvinder Singh, a scientist, who was a part of the survey. The first-of-its-kind mushroom and butterfly survey at Kalesar National Park was jointly organised by the state forest and wildlife department and State Biodiversity Board, and supported by the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun, and Wildlife Institute of India.

Underlining the importance of the survey, officials said, trees, shrubs, climbers and herbs, officials said, would not be able to live on the earth without fungi, as they are an integral part of food chain of many insects. Fungi and mushrooms, they added, are an inseparable part of a healthy ecosystem.

“Butterflies are also key biodiversity indicators. They are very sensitive to changes in the environment. The presence of so many butterflies indicates a rich bio-diversity of the area,” said a wildlife officer.

On Tuesday, a similar butterfly survey was carried out in Khol block of Rewari. Around 60 species of butterflies were recorded during the survey.