The Assam Forest Department has released a special booklet documenting the butterfly diversity of the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), highlighting the region as one of India’s richest butterfly habitats. The publication aims to promote biodiversity conservation, scientific research and eco-tourism, while creating awareness about the ecological importance of butterflies.

About the Bodoland Butterfly Landscape

• The Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) is administered by the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
• The forest landscape covers about 3,653 sq. km. across the districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri and Tamulpur, bordering Bhutan.
• The landscape comprises tropical evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests and alluvial grasslands.
• It lies at the confluence of the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Gangetic biogeographic zones, making it a biodiversity hotspot.

Why is the region important?

• The landscape supports 346 butterfly species out of Assam’s 620 recorded species.
• It is the only ecological corridor in Northeast India where butterfly species from the Eastern Himalayas, Indo-Malayan region and Indo-Gangetic plains occur together.
• Rare and endemic species recorded include the Yellow-crested Spangle, Swinhoe’s Flat, Great Windmill, Golden Birdwing and Moore’s Cupid.

Exam Hook: Prelims Question

Consider the following statements regarding the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR):

1. It is administered under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
2. It lies at the junction of the Indo-Malayan and Indo-Gangetic biogeographic zones.
3. The Bagurumba dance of the Bodo community is inspired by butterflies.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2 and 3 only
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1 only

Answer: (C)

One-Line Wrap

The Bodoland Territorial Region is one of India’s richest butterfly landscapes, where biodiversity conservation, ecological significance and the cultural heritage of the Bodo community come together.