A sanctuary beyond wings: Urban butterfly garden emerges as national model for conservation and mental wellbeing

Sri Lanka's first urban butterfly garden, nestled in the heart of a dense cityscape, in Moratuwa officially reopened on Saturday -not just as a refuge for fluttering wings, but as a vibrant educational and ecological landmark.

- IFHAM NIZAM

Dr. Gunawardana, who has championed the concept of citizen science for decades, called the garden "a training ground for future scientists." With minimal land and maximum creativity, the site showcases how even small plots can play a vital role in national biodiversity conservation. "A few host plants in your backyard can support entire butterfly lifecycles," he explained. "This place is proof of what we can do, even in tight urban corners."

The garden's evolution over more than a decade has transformed it into a living laboratory, a pollinator haven, and a symbol of sustainable urban co-existence.