News Highlight
White Tufted Royal Butterfly: The species had earlier been spotted in Agasthyakoodam in 2017 and in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018.
Key Takeaway
- A team of butterfly observers and researchers have found White Tufted Royal Butterfly, a rare butterfly species, at Kalliyad in Kannur.
White Tufted Royal Butterfly
- About
- Firstly, The White Tufted Royal Butterfly, a rare butterfly species, was discovered by a team of butterfly observers and researchers in Kalliyad in Kannur.
- In addition, the butterfly is protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
- The species was spotted in Agasthyakoodam in 2017 and in the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in 2018.
- The butterfly’s wingspan is just 32-40 mm.
- As well as its larvae feed on Scurrula parasitica, a plant belonging to the Loranthaceae family.
- Furthermore, the survival of such rare species is under severe threat, and steps should be taken to protect the hills.
Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
- About
- The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 establishes a legal framework for the protection of various species, including;
- Further, wild animals and plants, habitat management, and regulating and controlling trade are derived from them.
- The act also includes schedules of plants and animals that the government protects and monitors to varying degrees.
- The Wild Life (Protection) Act of 1972 establishes a legal framework for the protection of various species, including;
- Schedule II
- Species under this list are also accorded high protection with the prohibition on their trade.
- Subsequently, they cannot be hunted except under threat to human life or if they are suffering from a disease/ disorder that goes beyond recovery.
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary
- About
- Firstly, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary is a beautiful natural haven in the Kollam district in Southern Kerala.
- It was established in 1984 and covered 171 sq. km.
- It is located on the Shendurney River’s banks.
- The rare species Ghuta Travancorica, popularly known as ‘Chenkurunji,‘ inspired the name of the wildlife sanctuary, which is part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
- The Chenkurunji tree, which belongs to the Anacardiaceae family, was originally plentiful on the hills on the southern side of Aryankavu Pass.
- In addition, its abundance has been rapidly diminishing over the years.
- Furthermore, the tree is said to have therapeutic characteristics and is used to cure arthritis and decrease blood pressure.
- West coast tropical evergreen, Southern hilltop tropical evergreen, West coast tropical, semi-evergreen, Southern secondary wet mixed deciduous forest, and other forest types can be found here.
Pic Courtesy: The Hindu
Content Source: The Hindu