06/07/2026
Creating a Corridor for Bees and Butterflies
Buzz & Fly – Nectar Garden, a unique environmental initiative aimed at creating a sustainable corridor for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, was inaugurated at the Forest College Campus, Coimbatore.
The initiative is a collaborative effort of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, CUBE Road, and Rotary International District 3206, with a shared vision of promoting biodiversity, conserving native plant species, and creating sustainable urban habitats for pollinators.
Today's Project by Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City
The Nectar Garden was inaugurated in the presence of District Forest Officer Mr. Venkatesh Prabu; District Governor Rtn. R.S. Maruthi; DD Rtn. Swaminathan; Assistant Governor Rtn. Dr. Rohini Sharma; District Chair – Butterfly Garden Rtn. Ajay Gupta; CUBE Secretary Dr. Vinni Peter; President Rtn. Rajesh Kankani; Secretary Rtn. Archana Kumar; members, Anns, and Annettes of the Rotary Club of Coimbatore Cotton City; students of Sri Jayendra Saraswati Vidyalaya CBSE School; CUBE members; members of sister Rotary clubs; officials of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department; and members of the general public.
Spread across approximately 3,000 square feet within the Forest College Campus, the Nectar Garden will feature 18 species of native plants, procured from tribal communities in and around Coimbatore. Around 1,200 to 1,400 saplings will be planted to create a thriving ecosystem that supports butterflies, bees, flies, and other beneficial insects.
What makes this initiative particularly significant is its research-based approach. The growth and adaptability of native plant species in an urban environment will be systematically studied, along with data on the different species of butterflies, bees, flies, and other insects attracted to these plants.
While exotic plant species are commonly used in many existing butterfly and nectar gardens, Buzz & Fly – Nectar Garden focuses specifically on native plant species, highlighting their ecological importance and their potential role in strengthening local biodiversity.
The research will be jointly supported by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Rotary International District 3206, and CUBE, an organisation whose President is the Commissioner of Coimbatore Corporation and whose Vice President is the District Forest Officer of the Tamil Nadu Forest Department.
If the initiative proves successful, the research findings and the model developed at the Nectar Garden will be shared with other regions, encouraging the creation of similar native plant-based pollinator habitats across Tamil Nadu and beyond.
Buzz & Fly – Nectar Garden is more than a plantation initiative. It is a step towards scientific conservation, community participation, biodiversity protection, and the creation of sustainable urban ecosystems—ensuring that our native plants, bees, butterflies, and other pollinators continue to thrive for generations to come.
