Rapid Action Project to document butterflies in Nagaland

GUWAHATI: A Rapid Action Project(RAP), a first of its kind in the north east, has been initiated to document different species of butterflies by the Wildlife Trust of India in Nagaland.

The project has been launched around Doyang Reservoir under Sungro Range in the state as it boasts of a high concentration of different species of butterflies, a WTI spokesman said here.

The RAP will focus on sensitizing locals on butterflies that inhabit the Doyang Reservoir and urge them to protect and conserve them.

A local expert W Oponthung Jami will carry out the project, launched in association with Charities Aid Foundation, as initiatives to document the various species of butterflies found there are a great resource for those trying to understand the area and its rich biodiversity, he said.

Jami said the number of butterflies are witnessing a drastic drop owing to increasing anthropogenic activities in their natural habitats and their dwindling numbers could create a huge imbalance in the ecosystem which would be difficult to reverse, he said.

"The role that insects, especially butterflies, play in the eco-system hardly comes into the limelight. It is high time, the concerned stakeholders should initiate protection and conservation measures to sustain their population in the area," he said.

Direct involvement of people in conservation activities ensure that they become stakeholders in protecting flora and fauna of the area, Jami said.

RAP is involved in photo-identification of different species of butterflies so that the actual number of various species can be documented, he added.