Sikkim butterfly diversity rises to 753 species in new updated checklist released by BAMOS-NCS

<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">GANGTOK, :</span></b><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:&quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"> Butterflies and Moths of Sikkim Nature Conservation Society (BAMOS-NCS) on Sunday announced the release of the book “Butterflies of Sikkim: An Updated Checklist of Sikkim Himalaya”, documenting a major revision in the butterfly diversity of the Eastern Himalaya.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Authored by conservationists Matrika Sharma and Dorjee Chewang Bhutia, the publication was formally unveiled at a ceremony attended by senior government officials, scientists, academicians and conservationists.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The book was released by Tourism Additional Chief Secretary C.S. Rao, Inspector General of Police Khilbarna Gurung, Conservator of Forests Suraj Kumar Thatal, Sikkim Central University dean Prof. Dr.Bhoj Kumar Aacharya, The Mountain Institute India programme manager and senior scientist Dr.GhanashyamBastola, Mangan ADC (Development) and senior scientist Dr. Sonam Rinchen Lepcha, IHCAC princiaplKazi Sherpa and retired State Sainik Board Dawa Namgyal Bhutia.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">According to the authors, the updated checklist raises the officially recorded butterfly species in Sikkim from 689 to 753, adding 64 species through extensive field studies and scientific validation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The revised documentation further strengthens Sikkim’s position as one of the world’s important biodiversity hotspots, they said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">The event witnessed participation from researchers, students, environmental groups and representatives of various government departments and NGOs.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">Speaking on the occasion, the authors said the publication aims to serve as a scientific baseline for future conservation planning while encouraging greater public interest in butterfly studies across the Himalayan region.“This book is not just a list; it is a testament to the thriving ecosystems of our mountains. By updating this checklist, we hope to provide a baseline for future conservation policies and inspire a new generation of butterfly watchers in the Sikkim Himalaya."<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family: &quot;Bookman Old Style&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;">BAMOS NCS thanked the State Tourism department and Forest and Environment department for supporting the project.</span></p>

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