Biodiversity Flutters: Hidden World of Butterflies

Webinar Details

Date: Saturday, 11 July 2026

Time: 07:30 PM IST

Host: Sohail Madan

Platform: Zoom (Online)

About the Speaker

Sohail Madan is a renowned ecologist, conservationist, photographer, and author, currently serving as the Director of Wild Tales Foundation. He previously served as Assistant Director at the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and has dedicated his career to promoting butterfly conservation, biodiversity awareness, and citizen science.

He developed North India's largest butterfly park at Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and has played a pivotal role in establishing more than 85 butterfly parks across India. Sohail Madan is also the visionary behind several successful citizen science initiatives, including Big Butterfly Month and the Dragonfly Festival, which have inspired thousands of people to engage with nature and biodiversity monitoring.

His innovative work includes creating India's first industrial butterfly habitat in collaboration with Bridgestone India. He also initiated the Green Skill Development Program for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Government of India. In recognition of his outstanding contributions to conservation, he received the prestigious Dr B. Kiowta Lifetime Achievement Award from the Indian Dragonfly Society in 2019.

Webinar Focus

• Explore the fascinating world of butterflies and their ecological importance
• Understand the role of butterflies as indicators of healthy ecosystems
• Learn about butterfly diversity in urban and natural landscapes
• Discover how butterfly habitats contribute to biodiversity conservation
• Explore successful butterfly conservation initiatives across India
• Understand how citizen science can support butterfly monitoring and conservation

Speaker’s Vision

Sohail Madan believes that butterflies are powerful ambassadors for biodiversity conservation. His vision is to inspire people to connect with nature through butterflies, promote habitat creation and restoration, and encourage citizen participation in conservation efforts that benefit both wildlife and communities.

Short Description

Discover the hidden world of butterflies and their vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Join Sohail Madan as he shares insights into butterfly conservation, biodiversity, and how these remarkable insects can inspire a deeper connection with nature.

Long Description

Butterflies are among the most beautiful and fascinating creatures in nature, yet their significance extends far beyond their colourful wings. As important pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health, butterflies play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and supporting ecological balance.

In this engaging webinar, Sohail Madan takes participants on a journey into the hidden world of butterflies, exploring their diversity, behaviour, habitats, and conservation importance. Drawing from decades of experience in ecology, butterfly conservation, and citizen science, he will share inspiring stories and practical insights from some of India's most successful butterfly conservation initiatives.

Participants will discover how butterfly habitats can transform urban and natural landscapes, support biodiversity, and foster meaningful connections between people and nature. The session will also highlight the role of citizen science, community participation, and conservation action in protecting these remarkable insects for future generations.

Join us to explore the incredible world of butterflies and learn how these delicate creatures are helping shape a more biodiverse and sustainable future.