Home / Environment / Assam Forest Emerges as Rare Butterfly Hotspot
Assam Forest Emerges as Rare Butterfly Hotspot
29 Sep
Summary
- Behali forest, proposed as sanctuary, recorded rare butterfly species.
- The event documented over 150 butterfly and 35 moth species.
- Local advocacy led to the proposal for Behali Wildlife Sanctuary status.
The proposed Behali Wildlife Sanctuary in northern Assam is rapidly gaining recognition as a significant biodiversity hotspot, particularly for butterflies. Recent surveys conducted within the area have identified several species previously unrecorded in the region, including the Brown Pied Flat and Assam Pasha, alongside other rare northeast species.
This ecological richness was underscored during the recent Behali Butterfly Count-cum-Walk 2.0. The event brought together nearly 200 students, naturalists, and experts to document the area's diverse wildlife. Over 150 butterfly species were recorded across ten trails, with night surveys also revealing 35 moth species, amphibians, snakes, and owls.
Local advocacy for the area's protection began in 1995, culminating in its proposal for wildlife sanctuary status in 2022. The reserve forest, established in 1917, is now the subject of renewed calls for formal notification following these extensive biodiversity findings, emphasizing the need for enhanced conservation efforts.
The event also saw the release of the Behali Bird Count 2.0 report and the Butterfly Count Report 1.0. A brochure detailing 126 previously recorded butterfly species was also unveiled, underscoring the area's importance and the growing interest in its natural heritage.
