ALEX AWITI: Address climate change, biodiversity loss together

In 2003, Serena Beach Resort & Spa in Mombasa established a Butterfly Conservation Sanctuary at its premises. Butterflies have a unique role in the environment. They are conservational as they not only pollinate the wild flowering plants as they feed on the nectar, but also enhance biodiversity by maintaining ecological balance. Butterflies are also a key indicator on the assessment of the health of the surrounding forest. The absence of certain species of butterflies may indicate the depletion of the forest. Due to the radical shrinkage of forests, reports had indicated that most butterflies had largely disappeared from Kenya’s coast, which also prompted the Butterfly Conservation Sanctuary where indigenous butterfly species are now bred. To date, nearly 70 species have been bred and more than 250,000 butterflies have been released.