AWNW: Jarakebande Kavalu Butterfly Park Bangalore Walk Recap

All Women Nature Walk at Jarakebande Kavalu Butterfly Park

On 14 July, 2024, the All Women Nature Walk (AWNW) unfolded at Jakarebande Kavalu Butterfly Park, also known as Avalahalli State Forest.

The park, typically a hub for walkers, joggers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts, had been specifically chosen for this season’s walk. The recent rains had transformed the usually dry landscape into a vibrant tapestry of life, with wildflowers and woody shrubs bursting forth in abundance.

Around 40 women gathered for this walk. The morning air was thick with excitement and the promise of adventure. As they set off, Misha, one of the AWNW’s founders, began sharing tales of the park’s most common trees. “Did you know,” she said with a mischievous grin, “that the fallen leaves of the Eucalyptus or the Ear-leaf Acacia are not exactly leaves?” The group huddled closer, eager to hear more.

The group encountered numerous termite mounds, sharing myths and interesting facts about these industrious insects. The insect life proved particularly captivating, with participants observing various camouflage tactics employed by juvenile insects. From spittlebug nymphs to bagworms and brightly colored bugs, each creature showcased its unique survival strategy.

Photograph of human spit like secretion on a plant which is actually made by nymph of a frog hopper insect

Spittlebug (Nymph of a frog hopper). Photo Credit: Vidhya

As the women walked through the dew-covered grass, tiny movements caught their attention. Moths took flight, and grasshoppers sprang away, adding to the sense of discovery. A young participant’s keen eye spotted a resting Common Crow butterfly with closed wings, leading to an unexpected drama. Nearby, another butterfly of the same species was found in the grasp of a large Praying Mantis. A chorus of “Ooh”s and “Aah”s filled the air as the binoculars were passed around.

Group looking at butterfly resting under a leaf. Photo Credit: Nanditha Gogate

Continuing their walk, the women chatted animatedly, pointing out Dark Blue Tigers fluttering by and debating the differences between Emigrants and Pioneers. Even a resting Owlet Moth couldn’t escape their notice, with everyone crouching down and clicking away with their phone cameras.

Indian Owlet Moth: Photo Credit: Suvarna

By the end of the walk, the group was buzzing with energy. New friendships had formed, knowledge had been shared, and a deep appreciation for the park’s biodiversity had taken root in each woman’s heart.