The article Sacred Ecologies: Restoration Begins with Relationships. Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Park, Belvai by Gayatri Kulakarni in the Native Circle knowledge repository explores the conservation success story of Belvai Butterfly Park near Mangalore, a once degraded landscape that has quietly transformed into a thriving sanctuary for butterflies, birds, fungi and countless other forms of life. Excerpt of the article Belvai is a small village nestled between the coastal plains and the foothills of the Western Ghats, about 50 km from Mangaluru. The Belvai Butterfly Park exemplifies a profound approach to conservation that emphasizes the importance of ecological relationships. Rather than focusing solely on protecting individual species, the park's philosophy, led by Sammilan Shetty, centers on understanding and restoring the specific host plants that butterflies depend on for their survival. By reintroducing native plants, Belvai has transformed a degraded landscape into a thriving habitat for over 155 butterfly species, alongside diverse flora and fauna. The success of Belvai highlights a critical principle in biodiversity restoration: ecosystems flourish when the intricate relationships among species are nurtured. This perspective shifts the conversation from merely saving species to fostering the conditions necessary for life to thrive. The park serves as a reminder that effective ecological restoration often begins with careful observation and a commitment to working harmoniously with nature. Belvai's journey illustrates that restoration is not just about reintroducing species but about rebuilding the connections that sustain them. As visitors explore the park, they are invited to reflect on the deeper questions of what nature needs to flourish and how forgotten relationships can be revived. This ongoing exploration of ecological interdependence and traditional knowledge underscores the importance of understanding our role in nurturing the environment. Source: Native Circle