GANGTOK: In a promising step towards strengthening Sikkim’s position as a global hotspot for butterfly diversity, Nosang Limboo, Officer on Special Duty to Sikkim’s Lok Sabha MP and one of the State’s leading butterfly experts, is spearheading a collaborative initiative to send emerging butterfly researchers and citizen scientists from Sikkim on an exposure trip to the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS-TIFR), Bengaluru.
The proposal emerged from a high-level meeting held on Saturday at Mayfair Resort, Gangtok, where Nosang Limboo met with Dr. Krushnamegh Kunte, Associate Professor at NCBS and a globally renowned evolutionary biologist.
Dr. Kunte, whose pioneering work in butterfly evolution and biodiversity has earned him global acclaim, expressed enthusiastic support for the initiative and pledged future collaboration.
Dr. Kunte’s lab at NCBS is considered one of the finest in the world for evolutionary biology and biodiversity research. With cutting-edge work in natural selection, genetics, community ecology, and conservation, the lab uses butterflies as a microcosm to explore broader ecological and evolutionary questions. His deep ties with Sikkim’s butterfly landscape — from the rediscovery of Lethe margaritae in Chungthang (2011) to the discovery of Zographetus dzonguensis in Dzongu (2021) — have long connected him to the region’s growing community of lepidopterists.
“Sikkim is not just rich in butterfly diversity — it’s a living laboratory of evolution. We need to nurture a new generation of researchers and citizen scientists who can take this work forward,” said Nosang Limboo.
The proposed exposure trip aims to provide hands-on training and interaction with researchers at NCBS for selected butterfly enthusiasts, early-career scientists, and student researchers from Sikkim. The idea is to inspire, equip, and engage Sikkimese minds with the kind of world-class knowledge and tools that can accelerate butterfly research and conservation in the Eastern Himalayas.
Dr. Kunte warmly welcomed the idea, noting that collaboration between State-level enthusiasts and national research institutions reflects the kind of progressive scientific culture India needs. He reaffirmed his commitment to supporting such initiatives and lauded Sikkim’s proactive efforts in citizen science.
“Sikkim is among the best places in the world for butterfly diversity, and to truly harness that potential, we need more contributors — both trained scientists and passionate citizen scientists. Collaborative efforts between government institutions and the public not only strengthen scientific research but also showcase Sikkim’s progressive and forward-looking spirit on the global stage,” expressed Nosang Limboo.
Sikkim, despite its small size, is globally recognised for harbouring an extraordinary variety of butterflies, many of which are endemic or rare. Experts believe that the state has the potential to become a centre of excellence for butterfly research in South Asia, provided local talent is nurtured and given the right exposure.
The move is also in line with the broader vision of strengthening citizen science and biodiversity awareness in Sikkim — a state known for balancing development with environmental stewardship, a press release informs.
- SA Report
