Sikkim celebrates ethnic jubilee with race watching butterflies

A double-spotted flat (Celaenorrhinus pyrrha) butterfly was found in Sikkim. The state has about 700 species of butterflies. |Picture source: Special arrangement

Guwahati

A competition to watch butterflies has been one of the highlights of the celebration that marks the 50th anniversary of Sikkim’s founding.

Sikkim transitioned from the Protectorate to the State No. 22 of India on May 16, 1975.

In the frame: Butterfly effect

Dance in the Park: A regular Mormon (Papilio Polytes) male, left, performed a dance near the female during courtship at the Butterfly Park wall.

Persistence: A common crow butterfly (Euploea core) larva crawl under leaves. Butterfly Park is an ideal breeding ground for these fascinating insects.

Data trove: Visitors to the museum provide comprehensive information on butterflies in the biological park of Bannerughatta, Bangalore.

Data trove: Visitors to the museum provide comprehensive information on butterflies in the biological park of Bannerughatta, Bangalore.

Hunting Nectar: ​​Belenois Aurota (commonly known as Pioneer White) is a small and medium-sized Pierid Butterfly

There are many types: dark blue tiger (Tirumala septentrionis) and dual-brand crow (Euploea sylvester).

Bold pattern: a very successful invader lime dovetail (Papilio demoleus) flying.

First flight: Pieridae family butterflies are released to the dome of the Conservatory.

Caring Hand: A lab assistant prepares feed for larvae after cleaning the feeding tray in the chrysalis room.

A large flap: aerial view of Butterfly Park, located in the lush green of Bannerughatta Biopark

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“We started the 16-day Butterthon on May 1, the first event against butterthon. It’s not a test of speed, but a leisurely contest to find ecologically important butterflies in Sikkim,” Sonam Wangchuk Lepcha.

TPCF extends to Thamblyok Putali Charphemba Famiyap, which is converted into butterflies in four languages ​​in Himalaya (Lepcha, Nepali, Nepali, Limboo and Bhutia).

Several Lepidopteran, ornithologists and citizen scientists from India and other regions abroad participated in the event scheduled to end on May 16, marking the 50th anniversary of Sikkim. Participants included Peter Lobo of India, Joseph Coleman of the United States, and Indika Upul Jayatissa of Sri Lankan.

Mr Lepcha said foreigners visited Sikkim for the first time to watch butterflies.

Butterfly lovers participated in Sikkim’s 16-day butter. |Picture source: Special arrangement

Sikkim-TPCF’s Butterfly Association said the event was to promote a new form of tourism in the state and contributed to the celebration of Sikkim’s “Golden Year.”

Members of the Butterfly Society have been helping visitors discover and record butterflies in 7,086 square kilometers of jungle and altitude meadows.

About 700 species of butterflies, almost half the number recorded in India, flourished in Sikkim. Of these, about 420 species or 61% of butterflies in the state are concentrated in the 78 square kilometers of Dzongu area adjacent to Khangchendzonga National Park and Biosphere Reserve.