Shillong, June 1, 2026: Meghalaya's extraordinary ecological richness took center stage on Monday with the launch of Butterflies of Meghalaya, a landmark publication documenting 698 butterfly species and revealing that the state is home to more than half of India's known butterfly diversity.
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| Meghalaya Governor C.H. Vijayashankar poses with authors, researchers, and conservationists. (X/Governor of Meghalaya) |
The book was unveiled by Governor C.H. Vijayashankar at Lok Bhavan in Shillong in the presence of scientists, conservationists, researchers, and government officials. Authored by renowned lepidopterists Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte and Sanjay Sondhi, the publication is being hailed as one of the most comprehensive accounts of butterfly diversity ever compiled for a single Indian state.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Vijayashankar described Meghalaya's biodiversity as a priceless natural asset and stressed the importance of preserving the state's fragile ecosystems. He noted that butterflies serve as important indicators of environmental health and that protecting their habitats is essential for safeguarding forests, water resources, and ecological balance.
The publication highlights Meghalaya's remarkable status as a biodiversity hotspot, documenting 698 species—an astonishing figure that represents more than half of all butterfly species recorded in India. Conservationists said the findings reinforce the state's significance as one of the country's most important regions for wildlife and ecological research.
Among the book's most significant revelations is the fact that around 60 butterfly species have their type locality in Meghalaya. In scientific terms, a type locality refers to the place where a species was first discovered and formally described. Experts noted that this reflects the state's historic role in advancing scientific understanding of butterfly diversity and underscores its global conservation value.
Another remarkable feature of the publication is its documentation of approximately 30 butterfly species that have not been observed in the wild in India for decades, and in some cases for more than a century. Because no modern photographs of these species exist, the authors relied on preserved specimens housed in museum collections.
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| A selection of butterfly species featured in Butterflies of Meghalaya, the landmark publication documenting 698 species and showcasing Meghalaya's status as one of India's richest biodiversity hotspots. |
Dr. Kunte spent time at the Natural History Museum in London photographing historic specimens to ensure these rare species could be included in the book. As a result, the publication contains images of butterflies that today are known only through scientific records and museum collections.
The book also identifies the Garo Hills as one of Northeast India's most important butterfly habitats, further highlighting Meghalaya's role in conserving unique and diverse ecosystems. Conservation experts believe the publication will serve as an important resource for researchers, students, policymakers, and nature enthusiasts while encouraging greater awareness about the need to protect the state's natural heritage.
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Participants at the event described the book as a milestone in biodiversity documentation and conservation. They noted that at a time when habitat loss, climate change, and declining insect populations are becoming major global concerns, such scientific works are essential for guiding conservation efforts and informing policy decisions.
The launch of Butterflies of Meghalaya marks a significant achievement in documenting the state's natural wealth and is expected to strengthen ongoing efforts to conserve one of India's richest and most diverse ecological landscapes.
