GANGTOK,: A rare butterfly species – ‘Kaiser-i-Hind’, also the State butterfly
of Arunachal Pradesh, has been found and photographed in the butterfly hotspot
of Dzongu, North Sikkim by a local villager.
Chumsi
Lepcha from Lingthem village, Upper Dzongu came across this striking green
butterfly puddling at a rivulet near her residence recently. She was working in
the fields when she noticed two children playing by the stream, prompting her
to check their safety.
It was
during this moment of vigilance that Chumsi spotted the striking green
butterfly puddling at the stream. Without realizing the significance of her
discovery, she decided to capture the moment through both photographs and
videos.
Kaiser-i-Hind
(Teinopalpus imperialis) was known in Sikkim but till date there was no live
photography evidence from Sikkim, according to Thyamblok- Butterfly Society of
North Sikkim and Butterflies Society of Sikkim –TPCF.
It took a
Dzongu villager to come across this elusive butterfly species and record in
both photos and videos. It is also the first live photographic record of this
rare species in Sikkim, the TPCF informed.
According
to the TPCF, this butterfly was recorded at an altitude of 1409m AMSL, Latitude
21.2350263° & Longitude 72.818565°.
Kaiser-i-Hind
is legally protected in India and is the State butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh.
It was previously listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of
1972.
The
butterfly is found in Sikkim's forested areas, typically at elevations between
6,000 to 10,000 feet (1,800 to 3,000 m). However, it has been observed at a
lower elevation of 1409 m.
“The
discovery of the Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly in Lingthem, Dzongu, Sikkim means we
need to step up efforts to protect it and its habitat. This could involve
creating safe zones, managing land sustainably, and educating locals. It also
calls for more research to understand the butterfly better and highlights the
importance of eco-friendly practices to preserve Sikkim's environment. By doing
so, we can ensure the Kaiser-i-Hind and its home stay safe for years to come,”
said the TPCF.
Dzongu is
a butterfly hotspot and is the home for several rare butterfly species.
The field
experts documenting this discovery were Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha, Sonam Pintso
Sherpa and Nosang Muringla Limboo.
