Paintbrush Swift Butterfly Spotted in Himachal Pradesh | UPSC Notes

Under the Wild Bhattiyat Project initiated by the State Forest Department in 2022, a species of butterfly that is rare in the western Himalayas, the paintbrush swift butterfly has been documented for the first time in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district. Deforestation, habitat loss, and climate change have caused environmental threats in western Himalayan region.

This topic is important for UPSC Civil Services Examination as questions related to it are asked in Prelims as well as mains examination. It is important to understand the historical background, causes, and effects of any such development in the ecology or environment.

About Paintbrush Swift Butterfly

These are the following important factual details about the newly documented Paintbrush swift butterfly:

• This is a butterfly species of the Hesperiidae family.
• The Scientific name of Paintbrush swift butterfly is Baoris farri.
• There are two separate spots in the upper forewing cell of the butterfly.
• This species’ larvae feed on bamboo and some other grass species.
• It is not restricted to any single region, its habitat is distributed in north eastern states, central India and also in some regions of south India, and rare in Uttarakhand.
• Loss of habitat and scarcity of larval host plants are the major cause for the decline in the population of this butterfly species. Apart from that the increased use of pesticides, deforestation, and climate change also threatened the existence of this species.
• It is important to know the conservation status of Paintbrush swift butterflies. This species is legally protected in India under Schedule IV of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Read more about IUCN Status!

What is Wild Bhattiyat Project?

The Wild Bhattiyat Project is a research & conservation initiative launched by the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 2022. This project is largely focused on conducting studies and documentation of the biodiversity of the Bhattiyat Forest Range. This Bhattiyat forest range is part of the Dalhousie Forest Division in the western Himalayas, Himachal Pradesh. The project launched by the state forest department has gained significant attention among the environmentalist and international organizations due to its role in cataloging various butterfly species. This includes the discovery of the Paintbrush Swift butterfly (Baoris farri), which was photographed and documented in Chambal district of Himachal Pradesh for the first time in over 145 years.

As per the reports, the Wild Bhattiyat Project has photographed and documented around 120 species of butterflies in the entire region which highlight the richness of local biodiversity. The most notable one among all is the documentation of Paintbrush Swift butterfly. This initiative by the forest department of Himachal Pradesh emphasizes the importance of conservation efforts in the face of habitat loss and other environmental challenges.

Know more about Biological diversity Act, 2002!

Features of Western Himalayas

The Western Himalayas is a part or subregion of the mighty Himalayan mountain ranges. This subregion of Himalaya spans northern India, Pakistan, and some parts of Nepal. It includes several states and union territories of India such as Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand. It also includes north western parts of Nepal.

The region is characterized by its snow-covered mountains, gorges, deep valleys, rich biodiversity and green lush forests. These are the following key features of western Himalayas:

• Geography: This region covers the westernmost part of the Himalayas. It includes the world's most prominent mountain ranges such as the Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar, and Zanskar ranges. Nanga Parbat (8,126 meters) is the highest peak in this region.It has alpine forests, grasslands and rivers like the Indus and Yamuna, which originate from here.
• Climate: The climatic condition in Western Himalayas is diverse due to their varying elevations. The lower and upper regions have different climatic conditions. The lower regions have a subtropical climate. On the other hand, the higher altitudes experience alpine and tundra conditions. There are also heavy snowfall in winters, due to which the government is actively promoting winter sport and tourism in these regions.
• Biodiversity: Western Himalaya is rich in biodiversity. There are numerous species of flora and fauna. It is home to many rare and endemic species like the Western Tragopan, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear. It is important to know that the forests range from temperate deciduous and coniferous to alpine meadows. Trees common to these regions are Oak, deodar, pine and rhododendron.

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