Butterfly Conservatory, Goa
The Butterfly Conservatory of Goa is a butterfly sanctuary and garden in the Ponda district of Goa. Spread over 4000 square meters, it is designed as a place to stroll and absorb the serene beauty of nature. In the vast expanses of the garden, one can take a leisurely walk and observe over a hundred different species of butterflies from close quarters.
One of the main attractions of the Butterfly Conservatory of Goa is The Butterfly Pub, which is the spot for the mud-puddling of the males of the species. This is where the male butterflies gather in the puddles and muddy areas to absorb nutrients like salts and amino acids before the mating ritual. The park, also known as Mystic Woods, is owned and maintained by nature lovers and enthusiasts Dr. Jyoti and Yashodhan Hablekar who built up the place from scratch.
This small butterfly sanctuary, 5km north of Ponda, is home to more than 100 species of free-flying butterflies (it’s not enclosed) in a small patch of jungle. It’s a labor of love for the owners and worth a look if you’re visiting nearby spice plantations.
