A riot of colour from a barren land

It all began when Vinay Athalye decided to give back to nature. Since the Athalye family lives near Goregaon station, Vinay decided to select a random plot of barren land in Arrey colony and planted over 100 trees in 2000. Then he went on to complete more ambitious projects like a Nakshatra Garden (garden with flowers after each constellation) and a Panchavati Garden (five-plant garden). So when Athalye senior passed away in the year 2015, his son decided to pick up where he left off.

“We wanted to create something that would be a fitting tribute to him, and that could only be a garden. So we chose a plot of land and decided to plant a butterfly garden there,” recalls Sandeep Athayale, Vinay’s son, who is a salesman by profession. Since he had no idea how to go about planting a butterfly garden, Sandeep delved into research. However, while he was studying the dos and don’ts, a bit of advice from a valuable quarter helped him take the first step.

“We often work with the people from the nearby tribes. So, we continued to plant trees. While I was researching how to plant a butterfly garden, one of these tribesmen told me to just stop reading up so much and start planting. So I did,” he shrugs.

A family effort saw the butterfly garden planted by late October of 2015 and colourful butterflies started fluttering in by June of 2016. As Sandeep gathered more experience, his garden too expanded. “Learning the benefits of a butterfly garden and actually planting one are completely different. You can read up and know that a garden like this will draw in other creatures like caterpillars and birds, but it is only hands-on experience that will help you figure out how to take care of the plants,” he explains.

Sandeep claims to have inherited his love for nature completely from his father. “My father always told us that we should give back to nature. He and his friends planted trees all along the roadsides of Arrey and then ensured that they survived the year. He also tended to his Nakshatra garden and Panchavati garden. People often go on planting drives and then forget all about the trees that they had planted. But it’s the maintenance of these plants that really requires work. My father tended to them and never really took any credit for it. Even the benches in the two parks read ‘from one nature lover to another’,” recalls Sandeep. “When my father was no longer around to head these operations, his friends and fellow volunteers looked to me to continue the process. We started by planting just around 70 plants that year, but then the butterfly garden project came up. Now my four-year-old son also comes by to help with the planting. He loves to come here and help out with the plants,” he adds.

The Blue Jamaican Spike, Pentas and Ixora along with the various other flowering plant varieties have now created a riot of colour that attracts butterflies of all sizes, shapes and colours. “We just had a photo walk around the garden and the photographers were able to spot over 50 varieties of butterflies and around 150 butterflies at the same time. They are especially plentiful now, since they prefer mild weather,” he says.

While the garden is thriving, Sandeep has several plans for it to be even more magnificent. “Experts have told us that we have enough nectar plants and colourful flowers, so now I want to plant some fruit trees here as well. Also, as of now, the flowers only bloom during certain seasons. However, if we can water them enough, then they will bloom and attract butterflies throughout the year. I am trying to get help from the local corporation so that we can get water supply here. Hopefully, I will be able to get some help soon, to make the beauty and colour last all year round,” he signs off.