"Kaziranga Declared India’s Second-Largest Butterfly Diversity Hub"

Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its iconic one-horned rhinoceroses, has now been recognized as India's second-largest butterfly diversity hub. This status highlights the park's rich biodiversity, with Kaziranga being home to 446 butterfly species, second only to Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. The recognition stems from extensive research conducted over years by Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi, who has been studying the park since 2007.

Key Research Findings:

1.     Butterfly Diversity: Over 446 butterfly species have been identified in Kaziranga, making it the second-largest butterfly diversity hub in India after Namdapha National Park.

2.     Conservation and Research: The discovery is a result of years of research led by Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi. The research brought to light 18 new species of butterflies that were not previously recorded in India.

Butterfly Conservation Meet 2024:

• The first 'Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024' was held in September, bringing together about 40 butterfly enthusiasts from institutions like North Eastern Hill University, Cotton University, Maharashtra Forest Department, Corbett Foundation, and the North East Butterflies group.
• This meet focused on conducting an extensive study of butterfly species in Kaziranga.

Geographical Importance:

Kaziranga's diverse butterfly population is noteworthy because the park is situated outside the typical high-biodiversity zones like the Himalayas and Patkai mountain ranges, where such diversity is usually expected.

New Butterfly Species Discovered:

The research uncovered 18 new butterfly species in Kaziranga, some of which include:

• Burmese Threering
• Glassy Cerulean
• Dark-bordered Hedge Blue
• Andaman Yellow Banded Flat
• Ferrar's Cerulean
• Great Red-vein Lancer
• Peacock Oakblue
• Single-lined Flash
• Yellow-tailed Awlking

Panbari Reserve Forest:

Apart from the national park, the nearby Panbari Reserve Forest also contributes significantly to the butterfly diversity in the region, further enhancing Kaziranga's ecological richness.

New Guidebook:

Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi has authored a new illustrated guidebook documenting the 446 butterfly species found in Kaziranga, which will serve as a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts.

Importance of Butterfly Conservation:

Gaurav Nandi Das, a representative from the Czech Republic, emphasized the importance of butterfly conservation efforts in Kaziranga and shared insights on butterfly classification.

About Kaziranga National Park:

• Location: Situated in Assam's Golaghat and Nagaon districts.
• Designation: Declared a national park in 1974.
• World Heritage Site: Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it hosts two-thirds of the world's population of one-horned rhinoceroses.
• Habitat: It comprises a mix of eastern alluvial grasslands, semi-evergreen forests, and tropical moist deciduous forests, and is the largest unbroken area of Brahmaputra valley floodplains.

The park's recognition as a butterfly diversity hub underscores its rich and unique biodiversity, extending beyond its famous megafauna to include vibrant and diverse insect species.

MCQs

1.     What is the primary reason for Kaziranga National Park being recognized as India's second-largest butterfly diversity hub?

• A. Presence of unique bird species
• B. Extensive grasslands for herbivores
• C. Identification of 446 butterfly species
• D. Conservation efforts for one-horned rhinoceroses

Answer: C. Identification of 446 butterfly species

2.     Which national park holds the status of India's largest butterfly diversity hub?

• A. Kaziranga National Park
• B. Corbett National Park
• C. Namdapha National Park
• D. Sundarbans National Park

Answer: C. Namdapha National Park

3.     The research that led to Kaziranga's recognition as a butterfly diversity hub was conducted by whom?

• A. Gaurav Nandi Das
• B. Maharashtra Forest Department
• C. Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi
• D. North Eastern Hill University

Answer: C. Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi

4.     Why is Kaziranga’s butterfly diversity particularly significant?

• A. It is located in a typical high-biodiversity zone like the Himalayas.
• B. It is situated outside the usual high-biodiversity zones, yet has diverse species.
• C. It has more mammals than other national parks.
• D. It focuses solely on butterfly conservation.

Answer: B. It is situated outside the usual high-biodiversity zones, yet has diverse species.

5.     What was the focus of the 'Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024' held in Kaziranga?

• A. Conservation of one-horned rhinoceroses
• B. Study and documentation of butterfly species
• C. Forest management and anti-poaching efforts
• D. Climate change impact on wetlands

Answer: B. Study and documentation of butterfly species