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.