The three-day ninth edition of the Namdapha Butterfly Festival (NBF) concluded in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district, recording 157 butterfly species, including the rare Yellow Flat butterfly. The findings underscored Namdapha’s exceptional butterfly diversity and its importance as a conservation hotspot.
A panel discussion held on the final evening focused on environmental changes observed over the years due to human-induced disturbances. Participants discussed strategies to bring together all stakeholders to address challenges arising from habitat destruction and emphasized the importance of effective implementation of forest and wildlife protection laws.
Among the panelists were local MLA Kamlung Mosang, Miao ADC AJ Lungphi, Conservator of Forests Murali Sankaar K, renowned butterfly expert Peter Smetacek from Uttarakhand, and Rajib Rudra Tariang, Head of the Zoology Department at Digboi College, Assam. The session was moderated by NNPTR Assistant Field Director Pema Chedon.
Mosang expressed confidence that the festival would return on an even larger scale and praised the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve (NNPTR) authorities, local administration, communities, and partner organizations for making the event a success. He stressed the need for stronger conservation efforts through active community participation.
During the festival, authorities launched the Namdapha Employees Reward Scheme and Lam-lu (Way of Growth), an eco-development committee of the park and tiger reserve. Wildlife rescuers were also honored on the closing day.
The festival promoted biodiversity awareness, environmental education, research, and responsible ecotourism through field visits, technical sessions, cultural programmes, and community engagement. Around 250 students participated in hands-on learning activities such as butterfly watching, nature exploration, stone painting, and nature art competitions at Deban Forest Camp. More than 2,000 visitors from across India attended the event.
The festival had been inaugurated on October 30 by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in the presence of Speaker Tesam Pongte, MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, and MLAs Laisam Simai and Kamlung Mosang.
Recent scientific studies have also raised concerns over the future of butterfly populations worldwide. Research explained by Dr Krushnamegh Kunte of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru, indicates that butterflies are increasingly vulnerable to habitat loss and climate change, raising the risk of species extinction.
Scientists have called for stronger monitoring efforts, particularly in biodiversity-rich tropical regions such as India. They believe improved data collection is essential for assessing extinction risks, ensuring long-term species survival, and balancing development with conservation and climate adaptation.
Three significant studies published this year revealed that butterfly species are shifting their geographical ranges, experiencing population declines in many regions, and remain poorly monitored across tropical countries. Together, these studies represent one of the largest global efforts to understand butterfly responses to environmental change while exposing major knowledge gaps in tropical ecosystems.
