♦ The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary, making it the first butterfly sanctuary in the State. The decision was taken under section 18(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 

♦ The renaming amends the original 1984 notification that declared the Aralam Farm area as a wildlife sanctuary. The change follows a recommendation made by the State Board for Wildlife, citing the area’s exceptional butterfly diversity and abundance.