Itanagar: In a significant breakthrough for Indian lepidopteran research, two butterfly species previously unrecorded in the country were discovered during Arunachal Pradesh’s first high-altitude butterfly and biodiversity meet held in Mechukha, Shi-Yomi district.
The species — Metok Green Sapphire (Heliophorus gloria) and Medog Tufted Ace (Sebastonyma medoensis) — were earlier known only from Hanmi, Metok in southeastern Tibet.
Their discovery during the week-long biodiversity assessment marks a major milestone in documenting India’s lesser-known high-altitude fauna, according to an official release.
The event recorded an impressive 107 butterfly species in total — a remarkable feat for an inaugural initiative.
Among them were rare and notable species like the Tiger-mimic Admiral (Limenitis rileyi), being recorded for the first time in India, along with other elusive butterflies such as the Tibetan Brimstone, Bhutan Blackvein, Giant Hopper, Scarce Jester, Brown Gorgon, and several Junglequeen species.
Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Tourism Department, the meet aimed to promote eco-tourism and conservation awareness in the ecologically sensitive high-altitude zones of the state.
The event drew 72 participants from across the country, including researchers, PhD scholars, students, and nature enthusiasts.
Academic institutions such as NERIST, Tezpur University, Mizoram University, Digboi College, and ATREE were represented.
Local participation was also strong, with students from Mechukha schools and members of the community joining in butterfly walks, biodiversity trails, nature games, and even aqua therapy sessions — all designed to deepen engagement with the region’s rich biodiversity.
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Participants called on the local communities to take active stewardship of their natural heritage and integrate conservation into sustainable livelihood practices.
The discoveries follow an earlier rare sighting on May 31, when the Chinese Windmill, a butterfly never before recorded in India, was observed in Mechukha during a high-altitude survey.
Together, the findings underscore the exceptional biological richness of the region and open new avenues for research, documentation, and conservation in India’s eastern Himalayas.
