Early days
They began by constructing a house with large windows on a 4,000 sq metre plot. The house was built on rainwater tanks and a garden was built on the roof. Now, they were left with a barren hill slope, which was too small to cultivate. So, they planted indigenous plants that attract butterflies on it and irrigated it with the rainwater tanks they had. And that’s how Mystic Meadows: The Butterfly Conservatory Of Goa came into being.

The house has a garden on the roof that is open to visitors. It was built on rainwater tanks.

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During every holiday, they read up and chatted with butterfly experts and shepherds, for information on which weeds attract butterflies and planted them in the conservatory. Every morning they paid a visit to the fruit seller for their discarded pile of rotten fruits. They also had to dig compost pits around the house.

Up and running
Speaking about the experience, Yashodan says, “The biggest challenges were time and money. We have built the Conservatory bit-by-bit using whatever disposable surplus remained from our salaries. A huge chunk goes to paying salaries of the person employed there so not much remains. After we have started charging visitors, we have been able to generate some revenue.” The Heblekars hope to have an operating break even this year.

Time is also a constraint for them since he works for an insurance company, which demands a lot of time. So, it’s only Sundays and public holidays when I am able to invest into it. “I do most of the new development and infrastructural work while Jyoti manages most of the operations,” he tells us via email from Ponda.

Another problem that the couple faced was from their own neighbours who created bushfires or vandalised the garden, as they were worried the green cover may re-zone their excess land from settlement to forest and cause it to lose value.u00a0While there aren’t too many visitors around, the Heblekars are happy that their children are familiar with flora, fauna and streams and get to enjoy a childhood surrounded by the beauties of nature.

Butterflies and the bees
At present they have around 122 species of butterflies at the park (they started with 20 species). It is possible to spot around 25 species on any given day. You can also watch the butterfly evolve from its egg to caterpillar to a chrysalis and a butterfly. They also added elements to the park including an artificial stream, bamboo-bridge, a Koi (fish) and a turtle pond. The park is recreated to be like a walk through a typical tropical forest.

“November to January are the busiest times at the Conservatory. Not only is it full of butterflies but the climate in Goa is also perfect. We get a lot of visitors from England and Australia. We also host sessions such as Breakfast With Butterflies during that phase,” he adds.

November to January are busy monthsu00a0at the Conservatory

The sessions include a Goan breakfast, activities such as face painting, guidance on butterfly gardening and photography. While Yashodan handles the Sunday and holiday treks, carpentry and manual aspects of the job, Jyoti manages the weekdays. Next up, the couple has plans to set up a 20-seater open-air cafe on the premises that will serve rural Goan cuisine.

About Ponda
Ponda is a city and a municipal council in North Goa district in the Indian state of Goa. It is located in the central part of Goa. Ponda city lies about 28 km south-east of Panaji and 17 km north-east of Margao and is also the capital of Ponda Taluka. Located 28 km from Panaji, Ponda is a major town in the North Goa district. Ponda’s claim to fame is its unrivalled status as the cradle of Hindu pilgrimages in Goa. After remaining a part of the dominions of Sultan Adil Shah of Bijapur, Ponda fell to the Portuguese in 1791 who annexed it along with the nearby talukas of Quepem, Canacona and Sanguem.
Information courtesy: Indiaunveiled.in

How to get there
>> The distance between Mumbai and Ponda is approximately 590 kms.
>>u00a0One can reach the observatory by air, car or bus.
>>u00a0u00a0Ponda is 23 minutes by car from Goa’s Dabolim Airport, nearly 10 hours by road, and train from Mumbai.
>>u00a0u00a0The nearest railway station to Ponda is at Margao.u00a0

Time: 9 am to 4.30 pm; Open all days including Sundays and public holidays
At: Mystic Meadows: A conservatory for Bees, Birds & Butterflies, Rajnagar, Pisgal Priol, near Khedekar Industries (Surya Masala Factory), Ponda, Goa.
Call: 8322985174 / 8322980475
Email: butterflyconservatoryofgoa@gmail.comu00a0