Kerala Leads India In Butterfly Diversity Western Ghats

Why in the News?

A new ENTOMON monograph confirms that Kerala hosts India’s highest butterfly diversity within the Western Ghats, documenting 328 species, high endemism, migratory corridors, and extensive host-plant relationships, strengthening the State’s biodiversity conservation significance. This study underscores the importance of environmental impact assessments and proper environmental clearances for projects in these ecologically sensitive areas.

Key Findings On Butterfly Diversity In Kerala:

• Kerala records 328 butterfly species, the highest among Indian States within the Western Ghats biodiversity hotspot.
• The Western Ghats support 337 species, indicating that Kerala alone harbours nearly the entire regional butterfly diversity.
• The study identifies 41 species endemic to the Western Ghats, underlining Kerala’s role in endemism conservation.
• Butterfly fauna in Kerala spans six families, led by:

○ Nymphalidae – 97 species

○ Lycaenidae – 96 species

○ Hesperiidae – 82 species

• Other families include Papilionidae, Pieridae, and Riodinidae, completing the ecological spectrum.
• Researchers also documented 36 migratory butterfly species, highlighting Kerala as a seasonal migration corridor.
• The findings reflect habitat heterogeneity, ranging from coastal plains to montane ecosystems, supporting rich insect diversity. This diversity emphasizes the need for a pollution-free environment to maintain these delicate ecosystems.

Conservation Status And Ecological Significance

• 22 butterfly species recorded in Kerala are listed in the IUCN Red List.
• Most species fall under the ‘Least Concern’ category, indicating stable populations.
• Two species are categorised as ‘Near Threatened’, signalling the need for preventive conservation measures.
• 70 butterfly species found in Kerala receive legal protection under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Among these, only four species are listed under Schedule I, which provides the highest level of legal protection.
• The study reinforces the importance of protecting forest corridors, plant diversity, and microhabitats essential for butterfly survival. This aligns with the principles of the Forest Conservation Act and the need for stringent environmental clearances in these areas.
• Butterflies act as pollinators and bio-indicators, making them critical for assessing ecosystem health in the Western Ghats. Their presence and diversity can inform environmental impact assessments for proposed projects in the region.