4-day Namdapha butterfly meet ends

Dibrugarh, May 2: A four-day Namdapha Butterfly meet, organized by Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), Roing in Arunachal Pradesh (AP) concluded at Miao, Arunachal Pradesh on Monday. The programme was collaborated by Namdapha Tiger Reserve and Dhapa Valley Tours and Travels and Miao Explorers and was sponsored by National Tiger Conservation Authority & State CAMPA, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. A total of 110 species were newly added to the earlier checklist of butterfly, making the number of the current species more than 465. During this meet, according to a press communiqué released here, 255 species were encountered with 48 participants from various parts of India. Some of the endemic species were Cantlie’s Fourring, Assam Threering, Peal’s Palmfly, Khaki Silverline while the rare ones being Zigzag Flat, Yellow Gorgon, Yellow Tinsel, Cinnamon Silverline, Kohinoor, Scarce White Commodore, Stanley Nawab, and Yellow Veined Lancer.

Flagging off the four-day event, Miao ADC Tage Rumi appreciated the organizers for the steps they have taken to promote biodiversity and for popularizing this protected area in the eastern most corner of India.

 The valedictory function was graced by Minister for Water Resources, food and civil supply, geology and Mining , Kamlung Mosang, in presence of other government officials of the districts including the forest department.

Resource persons were Peter Smetacek from Butterfly Research Institute, Bhimtal, Uttarakhand who highlighted the importance of butterflies. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi of Bombay Natural History Society talked on the different butterflies species of the region while Nawangla Bhutia of BAMOS, Sikkim spoke on butterfly diversity. Prof Rajib Rudra Tariang of Digboi College highlighted impact of climate change and importance of eco-tourism.

The Namdapha National Park is located in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, spanning an area of 1,985 kms, including a buffer zone of 177 kms and a core area of 1,808 kms. The park has a wide elevation range between 200m and 4,571 m.