A fluttering delight

The premises of Zahir Raihan Auditorium in Jahangirnagar University (JU) took on a festive look yesterday as over a hundred of butterflies and their photographs were put on display.

The fluttering of vividly coloured butterflies and a myriad of programmes kept both the young and the old alike mesmerised at the daylong butterfly fair.

Butterflies of around 60 species were exhibited beside the auditorium and the university's Butterfly Park and botanical garden.

Looking at the shimmering butterflies, seven-year-old Ramisa could not stop clapping. “They are so beautiful…,” said the second-grader.

A butterfly feeding on nectar. Photo: Palash Khan

Meanwhile, her mother kept on reminiscing the childhood days spent chasing the colourful creatures in gardens, fields, river banks and green fields.

The zoology department of JU in association with Prokriti o Jibon Foundation and International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) organised the fair.

It included a colourful rally, art and photography competitions, photo exhibition and documentary on butterflies.

The theme of the fair was “Urle akashe projapoti, prokriti pai natun gati” (when butterflies fly, nature gets a new life).

Kentaro Arikawa, a Japanese scientist, was given this year's “Butterfly Award” for his contributions to research on butterfly and overall achievement in the field of zoology.  Aflatun Kaeser Zilany, a second-year student of public administration, was given the “Young Butterfly Enthusiast” award.

JU VC Prof Farzana Islam inaugurated the fair. Pro-VC (administration) Prof Amir Hussain, Treasurer Prof Sheikh Md Monzurul Huq, chairperson of zoology department Prof Monwar Hossain, and director of Prokriti o Jibon Foundation Mukit Majumder Babu were present.