The mist-draped forests of Miao once again shimmered with colour, excitement, and renewed commitment to conservation as the 8th Namdapha Butterfly Festival unfolded on 26–28 November at Khachang village in Miao Circle, Changlang district.
For three vibrant days, the serene wilderness transformed into an open-air classroom where scientists, students, researchers, villagers, conservationists, and forest officials walked the forest trails together, celebrating the spectacular biodiversity of Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve.
What began eight years ago as a modest effort to reconnect people with nature has today matured into one of Arunachal Pradesh’s most anticipated eco-events. The festival seamlessly brought together science, community, and culture, reinforcing the message that forest conservation is not the duty of a select few but a shared responsibility.
Participants from Assam, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Delhi, and Madhya Pradesh joined local butterfly enthusiasts and students from Changlang district and NERIST, Nirjuli. Many first-time visitors were visibly mesmerised as they watched butterflies shimmer through sunbeams and learned how microhabitats, humidity, and vegetation shape the delicate lives of these species. For the villagers, having experts identify butterflies they see daily strengthened their pride in living alongside one of India’s richest ecosystems.
Namdapha, spanning nearly 1,985 sq km, is home to over 600 butterfly species. During the festival, numerous species were photographed — including a few that researchers believe may have been recorded for the first time. Guided nature trails through Deban, Hornbill Glade, Haldibari, and along the Noa-Dihing river once again revealed the unmatched ecological richness of Namdapha.
A major highlight was the visit of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife & Biodiversity) N Tam, whose presence greatly motivated frontline staff and participants. On 27 November, he inaugurated a new four-unit beat camp at 40th Mile under the Gandhigram wildlife range — a significant step towards strengthening protection and improving monitoring across the park. The upgraded infrastructure will support quicker response, deeper patrolling, and better community engagement.
During his two-day review, the PCCF held key coordination meetings with the Namdapha park management, WII Dehradun team, and the PWD Highway Division. He heard longstanding concerns from tour operators and assured improved collaboration. His participation in the pipping ceremony, where three foresters were honoured, boosted morale among ground staff.
The festival also featured technical sessions, cultural evenings, and community workshops. Experts conducted hands-on training on butterfly identification, photography, habitat management, and citizen science. A special session on the ethnobotanical wisdom of local tribes highlighted generations of coexistence between communities and forests. Youth from nearby villages were trained to record butterfly sightings scientifically, preparing them to contribute to long-term biodiversity monitoring.
Evenings came alive with traditional performances by the Singpho, Tikhak, and Longchang communities. Local cuisine, handicrafts, and forest-based products added cultural warmth to the celebrations. For the first time, guests from across India were hosted in homestays in Khachang village, giving them an authentic cultural experience while supporting local livelihoods.
As the festival drew to a close on 28 November, the final flutter of butterflies across Namdapha served as a gentle reminder that when communities, researchers, students, and forest protectors unite with shared purpose, the forests will continue to thrive — and butterflies will keep painting Namdapha’s green corridors with colour, life, and hope for generations to come
