Kokilabari, Assam | October 26, 2026: More than 185 butterfly species were documented in the Manas landscape during the three-day 9th North East Butterfly Meet and International Research Conference on Butterfly Research and Conservation, which concluded at Kokilabari, Assam, on October 25, 2026. The event brought together around 100 delegates, including international experts, researchers, naturalists, conservationists and butterfly enthusiasts from India and abroad.
The meet began on October 23 and attracted participants from countries including the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Bhutan, Tanzania, Sudan, Ghana and Namibia. Indian participants came from different parts of the country, ranging from Kerala to Arunachal Pradesh, along with other states and regions of Northeast India.
The documentation of more than 185 butterfly species was one of the major highlights of the event. According to information shared by the organisers, the observations included notable additions for the Bodoland region, underlining the ecological significance and rich butterfly diversity of the Manas landscape.
Among the notable sightings were the Witch (Araotes lapithis) and the Elusive Prince (Rohana tonkiniana). Another significant record was the Assam Cornelian (Virachola dohertyi), reported by Gaurab Nandi Das and Roshan Roshan Upadhyay.
Guidebook on Butterflies of Bodoland and Lower Assam Released
A key highlight of the inaugural programme was the release of the pictorial guidebook Butterflies of Bodoland & Lower Assam. The book features 432 photographic records documenting the butterfly diversity of the region.
The publication draws on years of fieldwork and photographic documentation by its authors, Atanu Bose, Mahesh Baruah and Dr Monsoon J. Gogoi.
“Atanu Bose has been documenting the butterflies of the region since 2007, and Mahesh Baruah joined this effort in 2016,” said Dr Monsoon J. Gogoi, the book’s lead author.
The guidebook is intended to support the documentation and understanding of the region’s butterfly diversity, providing a photographic resource for researchers, naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts.
Butterflies of Assam Booklet Supports Project Pokhila
Another publication released during the programme was Butterflies of Assam, authored by Dr Monsoon J. Gogoi and Loren Sonowal.
The booklet documents 160 common butterfly species found in Assam and supports Project Pokhila, a citizen-science initiative that promotes butterfly monitoring across the state. The initiative encourages wider participation in documenting butterfly diversity and can help strengthen public engagement with biodiversity conservation.
The conference proceedings of the 9th North East Butterfly Meet were also released. Edited by Hilloljyoti Singha and Kamal Azad, the chief organiser of the meet, the proceedings add to the dissemination of research and scientific information on butterfly diversity and conservation.
Researchers and Conservation Organisations Participate
The event saw participation from representatives of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC), academic institutions, forest departments and conservation organisations.
Those present included James Basumatary, Executive Member of the BTC; Maneswar Brahma; Thaneswar Basumatary, MLA; Mrs Akhtara Ahmed; Kastom Basumatary, Executive Member; and Rajesh Boral, Secretary of the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF).
T. Seshidhar Reddy, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer, also attended the programme.
Other participants included Rathin Barman, Director and Chief, Strategy and Liaison (Northeast), Wildlife Trust of India (WTI); Shri Rajib Rudra Tariang, Assistant Professor at Digboi College, Dr. Hilloljyoti Singha, Professor at Bodoland University and Representatives from WWF-India and Aaranyak also participated in the event.
The gathering highlighted the role of cooperation among researchers, academic institutions, forest authorities and conservation organisations in advancing biodiversity research and awareness.
International Experts Share Knowledge
International participants included Dr Martin Konvička, Professor at the University of South Bohemia in the Czech Republic, who served as a resource person.
Other named experts included Piet van der Poel, author of Butterflies of Nepal; Tshulthrim, also known as Tshulthrim Wildlifer and identified as the founder of the Butterfly Society of Bhutan; and Nawangla Bhutia, founder of the BAMOS Lepidoptera Society from Sikkim.
Across the three days, participants took part in discussions and knowledge-sharing activities on butterfly research, species documentation, conservation challenges and the ecological importance of butterflies. The meet offered an opportunity for researchers, students, naturalists and conservation practitioners to exchange experiences and explore potential areas of future collaboration.
Manas Landscape Offers Scope for Butterfly Research and Ecotourism
The findings highlight the potential of the Manas landscape as a destination for butterfly research, biodiversity education and nature-based ecotourism.
Butterflies are important components of ecosystems, and documenting their diversity can contribute to a better understanding of local biodiversity. The meet also underlined the value of photographic records, citizen-science initiatives and cooperation among researchers in promoting conservation awareness.
With more than 185 species documented during the event and new publications supporting regional butterfly knowledge, the 9th North East Butterfly Meet provided a platform for advancing butterfly documentation and conservation discussions in Assam.
The event concluded on October 25, bringing together scientific research, field observations and public-interest conservation initiatives in the Manas landscape.
