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Date: 7th September 2025 | Venue: Aurovanam, Svarnim Puducherry
Early on a serene Sunday morning, Aurovanam came alive with fluttering wings and curious minds as part of the “Know Your Bioregion” series. Around 30 participants joined a guided Butterfly Walk through the forested trail near Matriniketan farm gate in the Pondicherry Bioregion. The event aimed to help participants—especially children—observe and understand the remarkable relationship between butterflies and native host plants.
Led by facilitator Shankardevi, the walk began at 6:30 a.m., allowing participants to witness butterflies at rest before they became active with the rising sun. The trail meandered through native shrubs and flowering creepers, creating a rich habitat for both nectar-feeding and breeding species.
The session turned into a lively outdoor classroom as children observed butterflies at every life stage—from eggs and caterpillars to cocoons and adults. Shankardevi explained the delicate symbiosis between butterflies and their host plants, emphasizing how urbanization and ornamental landscaping threaten their survival.
More than 25 species were spotted during the walk, including Tawny Coster, Blue Tiger, Crimson Rose, Common Mormon, and Common Jezebel. The experience was both educational and transformative—reminding everyone that conservation begins with understanding and protecting local biodiversity.
Date: 26th September 2025 | Venue: Aurovanam – Nature’s Lab, Svarnim Puducherry
Later in the month, Aurovanam hosted “The Green Trail – Let’s Play With Plants”, an experiential learning workshop conducted in collaboration with The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), French Institute of Pondicherry (IFP), and PALOC (CNRS–MNHN, Paris).
The event welcomed 40 students from Chevalier Sellane Government Higher Secondary School, Kalapet, offering them a rare chance to explore the connection between plants, art, and science. Guided by guest expert Romain Simenel, an anthropologist and ethnobiologist from the Museum of Natural History, Paris, the workshop introduced students to the cultural and ecological significance of plants through fun, interactive sessions.
Activities included leaf printing, frame-making with twigs, exploring music with plants, and learning about medicinal plant uses. These hands-on experiences encouraged curiosity, creativity, and respect for the natural world.
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the program emphasized experiential learning, environmental consciousness, and problem-solving skills, allowing students to understand how nature can be a living laboratory for scientific and moral education.
September was a month of discovery and deep learning at Aurovanam. From observing butterfly behavior in their natural habitat to exploring the creative potential of plants, every initiative reflected Aurovanam’s mission to connect children with the living world around them. These programs not only nurture environmental awareness but also build empathy, curiosity, and ecological responsibility—values that form the foundation of a sustainable future.
If you have an innovative idea for bringing a positive change in Puducherry, please join hands by sharing it with us in driving Puducherry to become a model Union Territory.
Auro Vanam Herbal Garden at Kiliyanur Primary Health Centre (PHC) Auro Vanam Night Life of Aurovanam: A Nocturnal Survey
Auro Vanam Night Life of Aurovanam: A Nocturnal Survey