Butterflies can be indicators of a healthy environment. Trashi Yangtse is home to more than 400 species of butterflies, including Bhutan’s national butterfly, Ludlow’s Bhutan Glory. Protecting these species and their habitats is crucial, especially as climate change continues to affect ecosystems.
About fifty butterfly experts and nature enthusiasts are in Trashi Yangtse documenting the colourful gift of nature: its butterflies.
They are identifying the various species here at the second edition of the Bhutan Butterfly Meet.
Butterfly Expert from India, Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi (PhD), said, “Trashi Yangtse is already well known for the Ludlow’s Bhutan glory, which is found nowhere else in the world. But additionally, our target is to document more species from the area, so that tourists not only come for Ludlow’s Bhutan glory, but also come for other rare butterflies. That was the target, and till now, we have been able to document quite a lot of species.”
“I am a cultural guide, but I also do birding sometimes. This is my second time participating in a butterfly meet, but my first time in Trashi Yangtse. I have learned a lot through this programme. If I get tourists who are interested in butterflies, I can now help them reach the spots,” said Suk Raj Rai, a tourist guide.
“Every butterfly species has its own season. We are now in September, so we have records for August and September. But who will explore the area in other seasons and keep a checklist? That would help us understand which butterfly species thrive in which seasons throughout the year. I don’t think that is happening here,” said Pradeep Nayak, a butterfly researcher from India.
During the five-day meet, they recorded around 103 butterfly species.
The event is not only expected to help document the butterfly species but also promote ecotourism in Trashi Yangtse.
And with growing interest in butterflies, the hope is that more people will appreciate and protect the beautiful creatures.
Sonam Darjay, Trashi Yangtse
Edited by Tandin Phuntsho
