Assam’s renowned Kaziranga National Park, already famous for its “Big Five” species, has added a new accolade to its name—becoming India’s second butterfly diversity hub after Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. Through the dedicated research of Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, a young lepidopterist from Kaziranga, a total of 446 butterfly species have been discovered in the park, 18 of which are new records for India. Notable new species include the Burmese Threering, Great Red-vein Lancer, White Palm Bob, Yellow-tailed Awlking, and Andaman Yellow Banded Flat.
Dr. Gogoi, who has been studying butterflies since 2007, has authored a pictorial guidebook documenting all the butterfly species recorded in Kaziranga, marking a significant achievement in butterfly conservation. This newfound diversity emphasizes the essential role butterflies play in Kaziranga’s ecosystem, standing alongside the park’s Big Five—the Royal Bengal tiger, Indian one-horned rhinoceros, Asian elephant, wild water buffalo, and swamp deer.
To celebrate this discovery, Kaziranga hosted its first Butterfly Conservation Meet from September 27 to 29, attracting 40 butterfly enthusiasts, researchers, and conservationists from across the country. Notable attendees included participants from North Eastern Hill University, Cotton University, and the Maharashtra Forest Department. The meet featured a special session by Gaurab Nandi Das from the Czech Republic, who shared insights into butterfly taxonomy and conservation.
This achievement is particularly special as Kaziranga, despite being located outside the Himalayan and Patkai mountain ranges, showcases remarkable butterfly species diversity. Dr. Gogoi reflected on the importance of this discovery, emphasizing the role of butterflies in conservation efforts within the park. The Panbari Reserve Forest in Kaziranga also adds to the region’s rich butterfly biodiversity.
Spread across the districts of Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon, Kaziranga is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, home to two-thirds of the world’s Indian rhinoceroses. With its newfound butterfly diversity, the park is cementing its position as a critical conservation hub.
