A new species of butterfly, named Euthalia Zubeengargi (commonly known as the Basar Duke), has been discovered in the Basar region of Leparada district of Arunachal Pradesh, state forest department sources have confirmed.
■ Euthalia Zubeengargi butterfly specie
And in fitness of things, this rare species has been named in honour of renowned Assamese music icon late Zubeen Garg; as of now, the researchers have recorded the existence of only a couple of male individuals in their forest habitat, a forest department official said.
Behali sanctuary, among its many treasures, is particularly renowned for its vibrant butterfly population, a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns fluttering through the lush greenery
The significance of the new find has been quite impressive as the Behali Wildlife Sanctuary located in Biswanath district of Assam in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas is not quite far from the Basar region.
The Behali sanctuary, among its many treasures, is particularly renowned for its vibrant butterfly population, a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns fluttering through the lush greenery.
Behali is a patch of semi–evergreen forest while the Basar region is thick with lush green vegetation, little closer to the Himalayas. Behali Wildlife Sanctuary, once known as Behali Reserve Forest, is a thriving paradise for an astonishing variety of life forms
■ Zubeen Garg
The naming of the new species effectively underscores both the region’s rich biodiversity and the cultural legacy of the celebrated artist who died under mysterious circumstances in Singapore.
The discovery was made by butterfly enthusiast and policeman Roshan Upadhaya along with researcher Kalesh Sadasivan during field studies in the forested landscapes of Basar.
After a thorough investigation, the researchers later confirmed the species as previously undocumented and suggested a common name “Basar Duke,” linking it to its place of discovery.
In fact, the find is being seen as both a scientific milestone and a tribute to Zubin’s cultural influence across Northeast India.
The butterfly inhabits semi–evergreen forests at elevations of 600–700 metres, typically in shaded understories. It has been observed moving slowly through foliage, feeding mainly on tree sap, and drawing minerals from moist surfaces
Officials noted that the butterfly appears to be extremely rare; because in spite of quite extensive surveys, only two of them have so far been recorded. The researchers wonder whether this particular species is inherently scarce or it is extremely difficult to locate its presence in dense forest habitats.
The butterfly inhabits semi–evergreen forests at elevations of 600–700 metres, typically in shaded understories. It has been observed moving slowly through foliage, feeding mainly on tree sap, and drawing minerals from moist surfaces.
Morphologically, the species is distinguished by olive–brown wings with white markings and a faint iridescent sheen. Detailed examination of wing patterns and unique anatomical features of male specimens have confirmed it as a distinct species within the Euthalia genus, local reports quoted the officials as saying.
Zubeen Garg, after whom the butterfly is named, was one of Northeast India’s most influential musical figures. He passed away in Singapore on September 19 last year.
Researchers said naming the species after the late singer was a tribute to his immense contribution to music and culture in Assam and the wider Northeast.
Interestingly, the discovery comes shortly after a newly identified plant species was also named in Garg’s honour, reflecting a growing trend of recognising regional icons in scientific nomenclature.
Such gestures, environmentalists believe, not only help celebrate and iconify cultural figures but also help draw attention to the extraordinary rich biodiversity of the Eastern Himalayan region and the urgent need for its conservation. ■
Prasanta Paul served Deccan Herald as the Chief of Bureau, Calcutta for nearly two decades before switching to work with various TV channels such as Al-Jazeera, CNN, German TV and CBS. Mr. Paul who accompanied former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee on his overseas tour of Singapore and other Asian countries, travelled extensively to Bhutan, Sikkim and Darjeeling besides other Northeastern states.
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