GUWAHATI:
More than 190 species of butterflies were recorded in Raimona National Park, located in the extreme western part of Assam and spreading across Gossaigaon and Kokrajhar sub-divisions of Kokrajhar district of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR).
These butterfly species were spotted by a group of visitors and experts from various parts of the country during the 7th Edition of the Northeast Butterfly Festival organised at the National park from October 22 to 24.
The festival was organised by Butterflies of Northeast India Group in collaboration with the BTC administration and several NGOs including ATREE, WWF-India, WTI, Aaranyak, SEED, flutters.org, Ngunu Ziro, BECT, BAMOS and Wiki Love Butterflies.
Out of 190 species, Brown Onyx was found for the first time in the National park. Other species of butterflies are Yerbury Sailer, Yellow Jack Sailer, Common Shot Silverline, Hooked Awlking, and Double-banded Crow.
“Some of them are a new record for Northeast (previously known till West Bengal),” said Dr Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, one of the organizers.
Prof PK Saikia and Prof Malabika Saikia Kakati of Gauhati University and Prof Hilloljyoti Singha and Prof Kushal Choudury of Bodoland University attended the event.
Earlier, a group of researchers from Gauhati University recorded 150 species of butterflies in Raimona, which was declared the National Park on June 5, 2021.
“We are studying the records of these species if there are any rare species of butterflies found here. We visited the park only for two days. Many more species may be found if we can give more time for it,” Dr Saikia said.
The 7th edition of the Northeast Butterfly meet was inaugurated by BTC executive member (EM) for the environment and forest, Ranjit Basumatary, at the Heritage IB, Kachugaon on October 22. The inauguration programme was also attended by Jiron Gossaingaon, MLA Basumatary, Assam Gaurav awardee Dharanidhar Boro, UPPL general secretary Raju Narzary and many dignitaries.
A total of 71 participants from various states of the country like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam participated in the event. Around 25 students, who are perusing MSc in Wildlife Science and Research Scholars pursuing PhD degrees from Gauhati University and Bodoland University, also participated in the event.
Six members from local EDCs (Environment Development Committees) were also involved in the programme to initiate butterfly tourism in Raimona National Park.
The participants visited Pepsu and Ranga Nadi areas of Raimona National Park to observe butterflies, and also the famous Ultapani area of Chirang RF and observed many other important species of butterflies.
Earlier, a total of 200 species of butterflies were recorded in Ultapani, however, the area is not part of Raimona National Park.
“There is a need for a Transboundary Indo-Bhutan butterfly survey in the future and such butterfly meet with community initiative is also needed in Bhutan,” said Tshulthrim, the Butterfly Man of Bhutan, who took part in the event.
Nawang G Bhutia, Butterfly Man of Sikkim declared that the next edition of the Northeast butterfly meet will be held in Sikkim and Butterfly and Moths of Sikkim Nature Conservation Society (BAMOS) will host the event next year.
Roshan Upadhaya, Butterfly Man of Arunachal Pradesh, attended the event and emphasised the tourism potential of the area and the need for more tourist guide training including jeep safari.
Brojo Kumar Basumatary, one of the organisers, said that the event aims to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and boost tourism potential in the region.
Menom Pertin of SEED, organizer of the Namdapha Butterfly meet and Punyo Chada of Ngunu Ziro, organizer of the Ziro Butterfly Meet also attended the festival and promised to support the Northeast Butterfly meet for coming years to come.