New Delhi: Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam is now home to over 446 butterfly species. This achievement has made it India’s second-highest butterfly diversity hub after Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. This significant discovery was made because of the hard work of Dr Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, a scientist working in Kaziranga. His extensive research played a key role in this finding.
The inaugural ‘Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024’, which took place from September 27 to 29, brought together around 40 butterfly lovers from all over India. Participants included representatives from North Eastern Hill University, Cotton University, several colleges in Assam, the Maharashtra Forest Department, the Corbett Foundation, and important North East Butterflies group members.
In this article, let us look at the list of butterfly species recently found in Kaziranga National Park—also a UNESCO Heritage Site—making it India’s second-highest butterfly diversity hub.
Butterfly species found in Kaziranga National Park
A total of 18 butterfly species have been found in Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO Heritage Site, including:
- Burmese Threering
- Glassy Cerulean
- Dark-bordered Hedge Blue
- Andaman Yellow Banded Flat
- Ferrar’s Cerulean
- Great Red-vein Lancer
- Peacock Oakblue
- Singled-lined Flash
- Yellow-tailed Awlking
- White Palm Bob
- Dark-dusted Palm Dart
- Clavate Banded Demon
- Pale-marked Ace
- Yellow Onyx
- Long-winged Hedge Blue
Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024
The Butterfly Conservation Meet centred on butterfly biodiversity and ecological roles. A presentation was given on butterfly taxonomy. Participants catalogued 85 species within the Panbari Reserve Forest, which is recognised for its rich population of butterflies.
Dr Gogoi’s released guidebook documents 446 species in Kaziranga National Park and includes 18 new records for India, such as the Burmese Threering (Zographetus dzonguensis) and the Glassy Cerulean (Caprana ransonnetii).
Dr Gogoi emphasised how important Kaziranga is for butterfly diversity, ranking it as the second most diverse area for butterflies in India. The Butterfly Conservation Meet aimed to raise awareness about the need to protect these beautiful creatures in Kaziranga. This event helped boost research efforts and protective measures that work alongside the park’s famous wildlife. It also set up a vital plan to protect these essential pollinators and their homes.
