In the dense green heart of Kerala’s Western Ghats, a rare kind of sanctuary has taken shape — one built not for tigers or elephants, but for creatures often overlooked: butterflies.

On 18 June 2025, the Kerala State Wildlife Board officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it India’s first protected forest dedicated entirely to butterflies.

This historic recognition comes after 25 years of patient effort, careful surveys, and the unwavering belief of researchers, forest officials, and local nature lovers — that even the smallest wings deserve a safe home.