On November 13th, 2021 Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Meeting, held at Pakke Tiger Reserve, the government declared Kaiser-i-Hind (Scientific Name – Teinopalpus imperialis) as the state butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh.
In this article, we will discuss more about Arunachal Pradesh’s State Butterfly – Kaiser-i-Hind.
Kaiser-i-Hind – The State Butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh
Teinopalpus imperialis, the Kaiser-i-Hind, is a rare swallowtail butterfly found from Nepal and north India east to north Vietnam. The common name means “Emperor of India”. The Kaiser-i-Hind is much sought after by butterfly collectors for its beauty and rarity. The green iridescence of the wings is due to the three-dimensional photonic structure of the scales and is the subject of much research.
Distribution of Kaiser-i-Hind –
The butterfly is found in Nepal, Bhutan, and along the Eastern Himalayas in India (West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim and Manipur). It is also found in northern Myanmar, northern Vietnam and the Sichuan province of China. Mostly seen above 6,000 feet (1,800 m).
Source: Wiki
Status of Kaiser-i-Hind –
Kaiser I Hind is a local and rare butterfly that gets protected by Indian and Nepalese Law. The species is also listed in CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) Appendix II from 1987 onwards.
Other Protection Status –
- Protected by Indian and Nepalese Law
- IUCN: Near Threatened.
- CITES: Appendix II from 1987
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule II
Habitat of Kaiser-i-Hind –
Due to its nature, Kaiser I hind is found in high altitude woody forests. It is mostly seen at an altitude of 6000 to 10000 feet in the Himalayan Range. In the northeast of India, much of its forest habitat is degraded by Jhoom cultivation; the butterfly is rarely found in the degraded patches.