Source: New Indian Express
Context: Kaziranga National Park in Assam, renowned for its one-horned rhinoceros, has now earned recognition as the second-largest butterfly diversity hub in India, after Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh.
Butterflies in Kaziranga:
- Species diversity: Kaziranga is home to 446 butterfly species, making it the second-most diverse butterfly hub in India.
- Newly recorded species: 18 new species, including Burmese Threering, Glassy Cerulean, and Peacock Oakblue, have been documented.
- Butterfly conservation: The first-ever Butterfly Conservation Meet-2024 highlighted the importance of butterfly conservation and raised awareness of Kaziranga’s butterfly diversity.
About Kaziranga National Park:
- Location:
- Situated in Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam.
- UNESCO World Heritage Site:
- Declared a national park in 1974 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, housing two-thirds of the world’s one-horned rhinoceros’ population.
- Biodiversity:
- Hosts a variety of fauna, including royal Bengal tigers, leopards, capped langurs, and migratory birds.
- Known for its tall elephant grass, water lilies, and wet alluvial grasslands.
- Flora and Fauna:
- Famous for elephant grasses, rattan cane, and aquatic plants like water hyacinths.
- Important species include Bengal florican and western hoolock gibbon, India’s only ape species.
- Ecological importance:
- Largest undisturbed area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplains, offering critical habitats for diverse wildlife.
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