Climate change lab, butterfly app launched

Checking pollution, especially of the waterbodies, should be given prominence, said Forest Minister R Shankar.

Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of a climate change laboratory at the Environmental Management Policy and Research Institute (EMPRI) in the city on Tuesday, he said waterbodies were getting polluted and efforts should be made to protect them.

Ritu Kakkar, EMPRI, Director General, said the laboratory will monitor weather and the impact of climate change on the environment.

The lab comprises two-hectare plots in Bannerghatta National Park, where the impact of climate change will be studied along with soil, tree canopy and other biological factors. Also, a lab with 35 instruments to measure air quality has been set up at the EMPRI campus, she said. On the occasion, the minister launched the Butterfly Identification app that gives details of butterflies in Bengaluru based on photos. It also seeks to increase its bank through contribution from researchers.

The EMPRI team has recorded data of 154 butterflies found in the city. The app is not available on Play Store at present. “We will gradually share the app details with all. We will share it with NCC students, eco-clubs, volunteers, experts, researchers and forest officials,” the director general said.

“A back-up of all photographs taken and uploaded on the app will be maintained with EMPRI initially for research and documentation. More species will also be added to the list,” Ritu said.