Kankaria Butterfly Park is an 8,000 sq. metre open-air butterfly garden at One Tree Hill on the Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad lakefront. The park houses approximately 50 butterfly species attracted and sustained by 150 cultivated flower species selected specifically as host plants and nectar sources. Opened in 2006 with an investment of ₹89 lakhs as part of the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden complex, the park combines a landscaped garden walkthrough with an Education and Interpretation Centre displaying butterfly lifecycle stages. Entry costs ₹10 for adults and ₹5 for children. The park operates from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, closed every Monday.
What Is the Butterfly Park at Kankaria Lake
The Butterfly Park is a purpose-built natural sanctuary designed to attract free-flying butterflies through horticultural science rather than enclosure. Located at One Tree Hill beside Gate #1 of Kankaria Lake, the 8,000 sq. metre garden features walking paths that meander through landscaped flower beds, tree canopy, benches and interpretive signage.
The park functions under the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden complex and was established in 2006 with a dual purpose: providing a natural habitat for butterflies and operating as a research centre for biodiversity.
Unlike enclosed butterfly domes found at larger Indian botanical gardens, the Kankaria Butterfly Park operates as an open-air garden. Butterflies inhabit the park naturally because the cultivated plant species provide the exact food sources, egg-laying surfaces and microhabitat conditions each species requires. The tree canopy creates a shaded microclimate 3–5 °C cooler than surrounding paved areas.
Butterfly visibility varies by season and time of day — mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM during the October–March cooler months produce the highest butterfly density.
Butterfly Species at Kankaria Butterfly Park
The park supports approximately 50 butterfly species from four major taxonomic families native to Gujarat and western India.
Swallowtails (Papilionidae) — Large & Colourful
Swallowtails are the largest butterflies visible at the park, with wingspans reaching 8–14 cm.
The Common Mormon (Papilio polytes) is the most recognisable — males display jet-black wings with cream spots, while females exhibit Batesian mimicry, evolving wing patterns that resemble toxic species like the Common Rose. The Lime Butterfly (Papilio demoleus) displays pale yellow-green wings with black tiger-stripe veining and is strongly associated with citrus plants.
Brush-Footed Butterflies (Nymphalidae) — Tigers, Crows & Pansies
The Plain Tiger (Danaus chrysippus) displays bright orange wings with black borders and white spots. Plain Tigers are toxic to predators — caterpillars feed on milkweed, absorbing cardiac glycosides.
The Common Crow (Euploea core) has glossy dark brown wings. The Blue Tiger is a migratory species — sightings peak during October–November and February–March migration windows. The Lemon Pansy shows brown wings with yellow-rimmed eyespots that function as a deflection defence.
The Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) is the most geographically widespread butterfly species on Earth, found on every continent except Antarctica.
Whites & Yellows (Pieridae) — Emigrant Butterflies
The Common Emigrant (Catopsilia pomona) is identifiable by its white or pale yellow wings and rapid, erratic flight. The Common Jezebel shows plain white upper wings hiding a vivid red-and-yellow patterned underside. Jezebels lay eggs on parasitic mistletoe plants growing in the park's tree canopy.
Blues (Lycaenidae) — Smallest Butterflies in the Park
The Lycaenidae family contains the park's smallest inhabitants — butterflies with wingspans of 2–4 cm. Blues display iridescent blue or copper dorsal wing surfaces that flash in sunlight during flight, then vanish when the butterfly perches and folds its wings to reveal cryptic grey-brown undersides.
Globally, Lycaenidae account for approximately 30% of all butterfly species — roughly 6,000 of the world's ~20,000 described species.
150 Flower Species — Host Plants & Nectar Plants
The 150 flower species cultivated inside the Butterfly Park are the infrastructure that sustains the butterfly population. Each plant was selected for its role in supporting specific butterfly lifecycle stages.
Host plants provide surfaces for female butterflies to lay eggs and supply food for hatching caterpillars. Nectar plants produce sugar-rich nectar — Lantana (Lantana camara) attracts 20+ butterfly species simultaneously.
Why Specific Plants Attract Specific Butterflies
Female butterflies identify correct host plants through chemical receptors on their feet — they "taste" the leaf surface and only deposit eggs on plants producing the correct chemical signature.
- Citrus plants (lemon, lime, orange) host the Lime Butterfly lifecycle.
- Milkweed (Calotropis spp.) hosts the Plain Tiger lifecycle — caterpillars ingest cardiac glycosides, making adult butterflies chemically defended.
- Cassia and Senna species host several Pieridae including the Common Emigrant.
Education & Interpretation Centre
The Education and Interpretation Centre is an indoor facility that provides structured learning about butterfly biology, ecology and conservation.
Four Stages of Butterfly Metamorphosis
The centre's primary exhibit explains complete metamorphosis:
- Stage 1: Egg — 1–2 mm, laid on the underside of host plant leaves. Hatches in 3–7 days.
- Stage 2: Larva (Caterpillar) — Increases body mass approximately 2,000 times, moulting through 5 instars.
- Stage 3: Pupa (Chrysalis) — The caterpillar's body undergoes histolysis — near-complete digestion of existing tissues — then reorganises into butterfly anatomy. Takes 7–14 days.
- Stage 4: Adult (Imago) — Emerges with compressed wings that expand and harden over 1–2 hours. Adults live 2–4 weeks.
The complete cycle from egg to adult spans approximately 30–45 days.
Butterflies as Pollinators & Environmental Indicators
Pollination: Butterflies transfer pollen between flowers. Their long proboscis reaches nectar sources that shorter-tongued insects cannot.
Environmental indicators: Butterfly populations respond rapidly to habitat change, pesticide use and climate shifts. Scientists use butterfly census data as early-warning indicators for environmental health.
Food chain role: Butterflies occupy a mid-level position. Adults and caterpillars are prey for birds, bats, spiders and parasitic wasps.
Entry Fee, Timings & Best Time to Visit
Kankaria Lake general entry (prerequisite): Adults ₹25, children (3–12) ₹10, seniors and children under 3 free.
Butterfly Park entry: Adults ₹10, children ₹5.
Total cost per person (Kankaria + Butterfly Park): Adults ₹35, children ₹15. A family of four visits for approximately ₹100 total.
- Operating hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (closes earlier than most Kankaria attractions)
- Closed: Every Monday
- Visit duration: 45 minutes to 1.5 hours
Best season: October through March — Gujarat's cooler months produce the highest butterfly density.
Best time of day: 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM — butterflies warm up in morning sunlight and reach peak flight activity by mid-morning.
Monsoon note (July–September): The monsoon season sees butterfly breeding peaks as host plant growth accelerates with rainfall. Post-monsoon October is the optimal month.
How to reach
The Butterfly Park is located at Gate #1 of Kankaria Lake, beside One Tree Hill. Maninagar Railway Station is 2 km away — auto-rickshaws cost ₹30–40. AMTS bus routes connect Kankaria to Lal Darwaja, Maninagar and Paldi.
Other Kankaria Attractions Near the Butterfly Park
- Kankaria Zoo — 450+ mammals, 2,000+ birds and 140+ reptiles. Shares the Kamla Nehru complex.
- Kids City — 4,240 sq.m edutainment centre at Gate 7 with 18 supervised role-play zones.
- Bal Vatika — 28 attractions including Snow Park, Wax Museum and Glass Tower.
- Amusement Park — Amrapali Funland and Adventure World.
- Naginawadi Island — central island connected by causeway.
- Aquarium — walk-through glass tunnel tanks.
- Game Zone — arcade and VR.
- Toy Train — Atal Express, 25-minute circuit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many butterfly species are at Kankaria Butterfly Park?
Approximately 50 butterfly species from four major families: Papilionidae (swallowtails), Nymphalidae (brush-footed), Pieridae (whites and yellows) and Lycaenidae (blues). Species are native to Gujarat and western India, attracted by 150 cultivated flower species.
What is the entry fee for Kankaria Butterfly Park?
₹10 for adults and ₹5 for children. A Kankaria Lake general entry ticket (₹25 adults, ₹10 children) is required separately. Total combined cost: ₹35 per adult, ₹15 per child.
What are the timings for the Butterfly Park Ahmedabad?
10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday through Sunday. The Butterfly Park closes earlier than most Kankaria attractions. Closed every Monday.
What is the best time to visit the Butterfly Park?
October through March for peak butterfly activity, with mornings between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM offering the highest density. Summer visits are viable but show reduced afternoon activity.
Is the Butterfly Park suitable for children?
The Butterfly Park serves as an outdoor science lesson for children of all ages. The Education and Interpretation Centre displays lifecycle stages with physical specimens, and the garden paths include interpretive signage. Children aged 5–12 find the caterpillar displays particularly engaging.
Is the Butterfly Park part of Kankaria Zoo?
The Butterfly Park operates under the Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden complex but has a separate entry from the main zoo. Zoo entry (₹20 adults) and Butterfly Park entry (₹10 adults) are purchased independently.
How long does a Butterfly Park visit take?
45 minutes to 1.5 hours. A garden walkthrough alone takes 30–40 minutes. Adding the Education and Interpretation Centre extends the visit to 1–1.5 hours.