Guwahati, Oct 16: The discovery of over 446 butterfly species in Kaziranga National Park is an extraordinary milestone in biodiversity conservation, placing the park as the second highest in India for butterfly diversity, just behind Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
This achievement results from extensive research by Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, a scientist from Kaziranga, whose work highlights the park’s rich ecological significance beyond its well-known megafauna.
The inaugural “Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024,” held from September 27 to 29, gathered around 40 butterfly enthusiasts and experts nationwide. Participants included representatives from institutions like North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Cotton University, various colleges in Assam, the Maharashtra Forest Department, and the Corbett Foundation, as well as key members of the North East Butterflies group.
The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on butterfly species records and further emphasized the importance of ongoing conservation efforts in the region.
This gathering reflects a growing interest in butterfly conservation and underscores the need to protect fragile ecosystems that support diverse species.
The event also promoted the importance of preserving these pollinators and their habitats, which are crucial for maintaining ecological balance.
The Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024 in Kaziranga National Park showcased several key highlights, most notably a presentation by Gaurab Nandi Das from the Czech Republic on the “Taxonomy of Butterflies.” His detailed insights into butterfly classification captivated the audience and added depth to the discussions.
This was followed by field observation of butterflies across the Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong landscape, with a special focus on the Panbari Reserve Forest, known for its rich butterfly diversity. During the event, participants observed 85 species of butterflies, showcasing the ecological wealth of the region.
A major highlight was the launch of a new pictorial guidebook on butterflies authored by Dr Gogoi, documenting 446 species from Kaziranga, including 18 new records for India, such as the Burmese Threering, Glassy Cerulean, and Andaman Yellow Banded Flat. This guidebook marks a significant contribution to the study of butterfly diversity in India.
Dr Gogoi, who has been researching butterflies in the region since 2007, emphasized Kaziranga’s distinction as the second highest in butterfly diversity among India’s protected areas, second only to Namdapha National Park. This is particularly remarkable because Kaziranga lies outside the usual biodiversity-rich regions of the Himalayan and Patkai mountain ranges.
The meeting underscored the importance of butterfly conservation, raising awareness about their critical role as pollinators and their significance in the region’s ecology. By spotlighting these lesser-known species, the event advocates for expanding Kaziranga’s conservation priorities beyond its iconic “Big Five” animals to include these vital pollinators. This initiative lays the groundwork for future research, habitat protection, and monitoring efforts aimed at preserving the diverse butterfly species and the ecosystems they sustain.
