Every September

Big Butterfly Month

India's largest citizen-led butterfly documentation initiative—a collective movement for people, butterflies, and cities.

How to participate Get involved

A collage of community butterfly walks in green landscapes

What is BBM?

One month. Thousands of observers. A shared act of noticing.

Big Butterfly Month began with a simple idea: what if thousands of people across India stepped outside at the same time to notice butterflies?

Started in Delhi in 2017, it has grown into a pan-India celebration that brings naturalists, students, educators, researchers, photographers, families, and first-time observers into a shared act of watching, recording, and caring.

Whether you are in a city park, a college campus, a village, or a forest, if there are butterflies near you, you can participate.

The movement so far

Built by many hands, eyes, and stories.

120,000+Participants

150,000+Observations

550+Species

282+Districts

10,000+Events & walks

How to participate

Four ways to join the movement.

Final registration and project links are still being prepared. Contact BCI to express interest now.

Become a Walk Leader

Guide a group in your campus, neighbourhood, or local green space and help people observe responsibly.

Express interest

Upload Observations

Photograph butterflies, record date and location, and contribute sightings through citizen-science platforms.

Find observation platforms

Conduct a 30-Minute Count

Visit a green space, observe for a defined period, and record the butterflies you encounter.

Guide in preparation

Become a District Coordinator

Connect volunteers and walk leaders, support local events, and strengthen participation in your district.

Express interest

A butterfly resting with wings closed in a forest setting

Why BBM matters now

A national moment of attention.

India's urban, peri-urban, rural, and forest landscapes are changing rapidly. Butterflies, with their close ties to plants, seasons, and microclimates, are among the first to respond.

BBM creates a time when people notice seasonal patterns, habitats are valued, and observations are generated across geographies. It is not just a month—it is a starting point for long-term engagement.

What partners can bring

Local context shapes national impact.

Organise butterfly walks, talks, and local events
Mobilise schools, colleges, and communities
Contribute to citizen-science platforms
Create or support conservation projects
Share stories, photographs, and local insights

Moving forward

From campaign to collaborative platform.

Within Butterfly Collective India, BBM can grow deeper and wider through shared ownership. Local actions can contribute to national impact, data can inform conservation, and people can reconnect with nature in their own spaces.

Every partner is more than a participant: they are a co-creator of the movement.

Past editions

2020–2025

Edition themes, verified figures, photographs, and annual reports will be added as they become available.

Past edition