ISLAMABAD: The tree plantation drive being carried out in the twin cities has helped endangered species of butterflies to thrive again in both cities as host trees and flowers provide the insect with nectar for nourishment.

The colourful and delicate insects, carrying unique patterns on their wings, play a crucial role towards sustaining the environment; cross pollination is carried out with the help of butterflies, head of Entomology Department of Arid Agriculture University Dr Imran Bodlah told this agency.

He said butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers borne by various plant species and provide a favourable and conducive environment for breeding of the insect.

“Many birds, insects and vertebrates of different kinds feed on butterfly larvae, pupa and adults which continue to sustain the food cycle. Its absence from the ecology breaks the cycle of food chain leading to disorder,” he said, adding that Margalla Hills National Park had a thriving population of diverse plant species and an increase in their number had supported nourishment of butterfly species that were otherwise on the verge of extinction, due to global warming and anthropogenic activities.

To a query, he said continuously rising temperature, pollution and urbanisation was detrimental to the habitat of butterflies. He went on to say that the public should plant fruit trees which bear flowers for a long duration, as this would help revive the massive population of butterflies.

Responding to another query, he said loss of butterflies was not a positive omen as they help in cross pollination of various fruits and crops leading to good yield; their extinction would mar crop and fruit cultivation.

He said it was a healthy and soothing sight to see butterflies hovering from flower to flower and nestling in the two rapidly urbanised mega cities after massive plantation.

People should take ownership of the precious ecology for a sustainable and pollution-free environment, he added.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2021