Kaiser-i-Hind is the state butterfly of Arunachal
An elusive Swallowtail butterfly bearing the name ‘India‘ and found next to China will become the state butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh.
On Saturday, the state cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, approved the large, brightly colored Kaiser-i-Hind as the state butterfly. The cabinet meeting was first held at an unusual location outside the state capital, Itanagar – the Pakke Tiger Reserve.
The Cabinet also adopted the 2047 Declaration on Conservation of Tigers in order to reduce emissions and promote sustainable development in the climate-resistant and responsive Arunachal Pradesh.
Kaiser-i-Hind (Tinopalpas Imperialis) is literally the Emperor of India. The 90-120 mm winged butterfly is found in 6 states along the eastern Himalayas at an altitude of 6,000-10,000 feet.
Butterflies also fly in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.
In January 2020, the State Wildlife Board accepted the proposal of Koz Rainier, Divisional Forest Officer, Hapoli Forest Department, Lower Subansiri District, to adopt Kaiser-e-Hind as a state butterfly. The proposal was made to promote butterfly tourism in the state and save the species from extinction.
Areas reserved under the Hapoli Forest Department are popular among butterfly enthusiasts. Although protected under Schedule II of the Kaiser-i-Hind Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it is hunted for supply to butterfly collectors.
According to Assam-based butterfly expert Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, the species is endangered in very few areas of Arunachal Pradesh and may become extinct if not protected. “The state butterfly tag could translate into its habitat protection,” he said.
The first dead specimen of Kaiser-i-Hind was recorded in Sikkim in 2012 by Usha Luchugpa, a senior forest officer of the state. Some participants were captured live on camera while watching a butterfly at Tall Valley Wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh. Sanctuary in 2014.
An international federation for the conservation of red-listed species of nature, the Kaiser-e-Hind usually flies to the top of trees and sits on low trees when the sun rises in the morning. It flies in April-July and lays its eggs on the underside of leaves.
Kaiser-i-Hind is the state butterfly of Arunachal
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by News East India staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
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