Escape Velocity Grants

The Western Ghats, one of the world’s eight “hottest” biodiversity hotspots, support a remarkable diversity of butterfly species, many of which are endemic and sensitive to habitat change. Coimbatore district, positioned at the foothills of this globally significant mountain range, contains a mosaic of landscapes including forest fringes, agricultural fields, urban gardens, and scrublands—each offering unique ecological niches for butterflies. Despite being a rapidly developing region, systematic short-term assessments of butterfly diversity remain limited. This study aims to document the diversity, distribution, and habitat associations of butterflies across selected foothill habitats in Coimbatore.

The project will be conducted over a 3–6 week period using non-invasive methods such as photographic documentation, timed transect walks, and opportunistic observations. Each field session will record species presence, abundance, behaviour, nectar plant availability, and microhabitat features. Special attention will be given to indicator species, endemic species, and seasonal migrants that reflect ecosystem health and habitat quality. All observations will be supported by high-resolution photographs to ensure accuracy and to create a verifiable digital inventory.

The findings will contribute to baseline biodiversity data for the region, helping identify priority habitats for butterfly conservation. The project also incorporates community engagement by involving local students and nature enthusiasts in field documentation and species identification, thereby promoting citizen science and conservation awareness.

By generating actionable ecological information and public participation, this study supports pollinator conservation efforts in the Western Ghats foothills and strengthens the foundation for future ecological research in Coimbatore.

Several butterfly species in Coimbatore are strictly dependent on specific larval host plants such as Aristolochia spp., Citrus spp., Calotropis spp., and Senna spp. The project will include documentation of these breeding host plants to understand the ecological requirements and habitat quality of butterflies in the foothill regions.