Evaluating Butterfly Ecology and Pollination Dynamics for Biodiversity Conservation in Ballari District, Karnataka
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Abstract
Butterflies are both charismatic biodiversity components and important pollinators whose presence indicates ecosystem health. The Ballari (Bellary) district in eastern Karnataka contains a mosaic of dry deciduous, rocky outcrops, agricultural lands and riparian corridors (Tungabhadra channel, Daroji area) that support diverse Lepidoptera. This paper synthesizes local and regional studies on butterfly diversity in Ballari, reviews butterfly pollination ecology, documents major threats (land-use change, urbanization, climate variability), and presents a field-study framework and conservation recommendations aimed at strengthening pollination services and butterfly-mediated biodiversity in Ballari. Key findings from recent local surveys show appreciable species richness and seasonality patterns in the district, while regional reviews provide ecological context for the role of butterflies in pollination and gene flow. The paper closes with practical conservation actions — habitat restoration, citizen science monitoring, agri-friendly practices, and policy linkages — tailored to Ballari’s landscape and socio-economic reality.