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Butterflies in peril in Sikkim

Marcus Dam

KOLKATA: The butterflies of Sikkim are facing fresh threats, and the Government is concerned. The tourists venturing off the beaten track for trekking excursions are largely to blame for this. Perhaps unwittingly, they trample on vegetation and plants that the caterpillars feed on, and on flowers in the wild that provide nectar to the butterfly.

Forest officials plan to hold meetings with travel and tour operators who organise such expeditions to "sensitise" them on the subject and caution them on the potential hazards to the butterfly population.

There are about 700 species of butterflies in Sikkim, according to experts in the wildlife division. There is a rich diversity of moths too. The alpine region where trekking is particularly popular has an abundance of herbs on which caterpillars feed. Wild citrus plants are another common host plant to the swallow-tail butterfly. Others feed on larval food plants such as creepers and certain varieties of medicinal plants.

The rich floral diversity at various attitudes ranging from the sub-tropical to the trans-Himalayas explains the dense butterfly population, according to Usha Lachungpa, Senior Research Officer, Wildlife.

The authorities are aware of "poaching" of butterflies and insects like beetles that have high commercial value in the international market. A vigil is on to check such activities. Collecting and trading in insects and most varieties of butterflies found in Sikkim is illegal under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

A more natural threat to the winged insect are the "invasive plants," of which there are large number. They occupy a rich floral area where the butterfly population is thick. The Forest Department is planning "butterfly parks" to propagate the more ecologically valuable species, Forest Secretary and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests T.R. Poudyal said.

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Butterflies in peril in Sikkim

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