Hyderabad, June 24 -- The State Wildlife Board chaired by the chief minister, has approved the renaming of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary on Wednesday, recognizing it as Kerala's first butterfly sanctuary.

Hidden at the foot of the Western Ghats in Kannur district, Kerala, the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary is India's first dedicated butterfly sanctuary, and a true treasure for nature lovers. Spread across 36 sq km of rich tropical forest, Aralam shelters over 250 butterfly species, including the endangered to endemic species.

The sanctuary becomes a living rainbow between October and February, when butterflies migrate here from the lower slopes of the Western Ghats. Notably, in the last three years, Aralam has witn...