Kaiser-i-Hind Butterfly

In News

• Recently, Arunachal Pradesh has approved the large, brightly coloured Kaiser-i-Hind as the State butterfly.
  • The Cabinet also adopted the Pakke Tiger Reserve 2047 declaration on climate change-resilient and responsive Arunachal Pradesh aimed at lowering emissions and sustainable development.

Key Points

• An elusive swallowtail butterfly carrying ‘India’ in its name and found in next-door China will become the State butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh.
• It has a strong and fast flight. It usually flies at tree-top level but when there is strong morning sunlight it descends to sit on low vegetation.
• Location: Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis) literally means Emperor of India. 
  • This butterfly with a 90-120 mm wingspan is found in six states along the Eastern Himalayas at elevations from 6,000-10,000 feet in well-wooded terrain.
  • The butterfly also flutters in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.

Significance

• The proposal was made with a view to boosting butterfly tourism and saving the species from extinction in the State.
• Although the Kaiser-i-Hind is protected under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, it is hunted for supply to butterfly collectors.
• The State butterfly tag can translate into its habitat conservation.

Source: TH