The Behali Butterfly Count and Walk 2.0 concluded at Behali Wildlife Sanctuary in Biswanath district on September 27, highlighting the rich insect diversity of one of Assam’s important forest landscapes.

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• The two-day event was organised by the Forest Department’s Borgang Range Office in collaboration with conservation organisations and naturalist groups. 
• Experts surveyed 10 trails and recorded more than 150 butterfly species. 
• The event also involved around 189 students from Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

What Was Recorded?

• The survey recorded more than 150 butterfly species, while a separate brochure documented 126 species recorded from inside the Behali Wildlife Sanctuary.
• A night exploration recorded 35 moth species, four amphibian species, two snake species and two owl species, showing that biodiversity surveys can go beyond a single group of organisms.
• The event also produced biodiversity documentation and reports, making the exercise useful for long-term monitoring and conservation planning.

Why Are Butterflies Important?

• Butterflies are not merely attractive insects. They perform important ecological functions as pollinators and form part of the food chain. 
• As many species respond quickly to changes in vegetation, temperature, moisture and habitat quality, they can also act as bioindicators.

Behali is particularly important because its forest landscape supports diverse flora and fauna and forms part of the wider Eastern Himalayan biodiversity landscape. Scientific studies have previously documented substantial butterfly diversity in the Behali forest.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

The Behali Butterfly Count demonstrates how citizen participation, scientific documentation and environmental education can contribute to biodiversity conservation.

One-line wrap: From a colourful butterfly to a scientific data point, Behali shows how documenting small species can reveal the health and ecological importance of an entire forest landscape.