A colourful butterfly spotted on a flower at the 5th Butterfly Fair on the Jahangirnagar University campus on Friday. — FE Photo JU Correspondent
Charming colours of the beautiful wings of 125 species of butterfly and kites overheard as replicas of the flying insect enthralled many nature-lovers at a fair on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus Friday.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Dan W Mozena didn't miss the occasion of getting closer to the naked nature around the pastoral site so close to the hustle and bustle of the busy city.
With the motto 'Urley Akashe Projapoti Prokriti Pai Natun Goti' the fifth version of butterfly fair got off to a festive start amid enthusiasm in the morning.
The Zoology department of the university in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and 'Prakriti O Jiban Foundation' organized the fair for increasing awareness about butterfly.
Vice-chancellor of JU Prof. Farzana Islam inaugurated the fair as chief guest by releasing balloons and butterflies at around 10:00 am on the premises of Zahir Raihan auditorium.
Pro-VC Prof Abul Hossain and Treasurer Abul Khayer of the university, IUCN county director Estihak Uddin Ahmed, chairman of 'Prakriti O Jiban Foundation' Mukit Majumdar Babu, film-producer Kathrin Masud and Kazi Mahtab Uddin, chairman of Mausumi Industry Ltd, attend the festival as special guests.
Prof. Monawar Hossain of Zoology department, also the convener of the fair, and Prof Sohorab Ali of Rajshahi University, also a butterfly researcher, were among others present. The VC also inaugurated a butterfly park beside the Wazed Mia Science Laboratory on the campus.
Around 1,000 butterflies of 125 species of living ones were displayed at the fair. These include Plain Tiger, Common Crow, Plum Judy, Dingy Bush brown, Common Duffer, Ape Fly, Pea Blue, Tiny Grass Blue, Oak Blue, Common Sailor, Common Rose, Blue Mormon, Striped Albatross, Mottled Emigrant, Common Grass Yellow, Monkey Puzzle, Blue Pansy and Painted Lady.
A book on butterfly, titled 'Butterflies of Bangladesh-Inventory Third Phase' was also unveiled at the fair.
The fair authorities also presented the young butterfly award to Tanvir Ahmed, a student of Jagannath University, for creating awareness on butterfly among the mass people.
US Ambassador Dan W Mozena visited the campus and walked about the fair witnessing migratory birds around the idyllic place.
Mr Mozena said, "JU is the haven for the nature and I am very much delighted to see several butterflies and migratory birds at the campus."
The JU Vice-chancellor said, "Several kinds of butterfly have increased the beauty of the campus…I am very much happy to see several colorful butterflies."
Life-time honour was also given to RU Zoology teacher Prof Sohorab Ali for his outstanding contribution in the field of research in zoological sectors.
The daylong butterfly fair included inauguration of the fair, children's art competition on butterfly, butterfly photography exhibition, live butterfly display, butterfly kite flying, debate competition on butterfly, documentary exhibition on butterfly and prize giving and concluding ceremony.
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