SHEKHAR NAIK
Many organisations and persons in India have been working silently and tirelessly for the conservation of environment and maintaining a balance between man and nature. While some do it for the publicity it brings, others are silent crusaders who do it without any kind of expectations and Yashodhan Hebalekar from Pisgal-Curti is one such who has erected a butterfly garden that has been a boon for the nature lovers in Ponda at his own expense.
“A residential project was to be erected in these hilly areas of Pisgal, but to safeguard the natural ambience I bought the plot and decided to create a butterfly garden here. My dream materialised in 2009. Currently, this garden has 144 species of butterflies. Some are seasonal. Few are seen only during the monsoons but the remaining can be viewed all year round,” says Hebalekar who has grown a terrace garden at his home and does water harvesting to irrigate the butterfly garden.
Initially Hebalekar tried to plant fruit trees but paucity of water forced him to abort that plan.
“My aim is not to use this land for commercial purpose, but for conserving nature,” claims Hebalekar who has not sought any government support for the butterfly garden.
Currently, per day, around 10 tourists visit the garden. School children pay a visit too. As an insurance agent, Hebalekar is always short of time but he is trying his best to conserve nature.
