Shillong, Jun 1: A book documenting Meghalaya’s rich butterfly diversity has also flagged a worrying gap, namely that around 30 species featured in the publication have not been recorded in India for decades, raising fears of local extinction or severe habitat loss.
Meghalaya Governor CH Vijayashankar unveiled Butterflies of Meghalaya at Lok Bhavan today. The book records 698 butterfly species in the state, accounting for more than half of all species found in India.
Co-author Sanjay Sondhi struck a note of caution. “Around 30 butterfly species covered in the book have not been recorded in India for many decades. These species are represented through museum specimens,” he said. “It is not known whether these species are locally extinct or have remained undiscovered due to habitat loss or lack of surveys.”
Sondhi called for urgent biodiversity exploration and habitat protection across the North East.
The publication, authored by butterfly experts Krushnamegh Kunte and Sondhi, is based on years of scientific research and field work across Meghalaya’s forests and hill ecosystems. It was conceptualised by senior IFS officer HC Chaudhary and supported by field officers of the Forest Department.
Kunte said Meghalaya’s butterfly richness points to far greater, unexplored insect diversity. He urged protection of fragile areas like the Sohra Plateau, home to several endemic and endangered species. “Conserving these habitat patches would not only ensure the long-term survival of rare species but also safeguard clean water from higher catchment areas on which downstream communities depend,” he said.
The book also identifies the Garo Hills as one of the top three butterfly hotspots in the North East due to its unique habitats.
Calling butterflies “important indicators of ecosystem health,” Vijayashankar said Meghalaya’s biodiversity is a “priceless natural asset” needing collective conservation. He stressed involving local communities, schools and traditional bodies, adding that scientific documentation can shape conservation policy, education and ecotourism.
