The authors with dignitaries during the book release in Kohima on March 12. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | March 12
A book titled ‘A beginner’s Guide to the Butterflies of the Himalayan Realm’ by Wonchi and Mhayani Murry was released here today at the premises of Ete Coffee Roasters. The book is published by PenThrill Publication House.
Releasing the book, Kohima Divisional Forest Officer Rajkumar M said that conservation is incomplete unless the community is involved. A book like this can be a very big tool, he said.
In Nagaland, we have more than 70% forest cover but more than 88% of forest cover is owned by private or communities, he said adding that, “In such a scenario, without community, conservation is impossible.”
The DFO was optimistic that the book would effect a change in the conservation efforts taken by communities of Nagaland.
Also attending the function as the guest of honour, Col Neeraj Sood, SC, CO 164 NAGA TA (H&H) Zakhama said, “Once we start our journey on this earth, the first things we admire are the flowers and probably the butterflies. It is part and parcel of our lives when we grow also.”
He said that the book is a good introduction for each one of us that there is a world of butterflies in our lives. He hoped to see the book reach places and people know about these varieties and species in greater detail.
Author Wonchi Murry recollected how they would chase butterflies during their childhood and said, “We didn’t have Google those days; we couldn’t differentiate between moths and butterflies.”
Wonchi said butterflies are found all over the country and here in Nagaland, there are so many exclusive and rare species. “In our own way, we should all give our best to conserve them. Whatever profession you have, you can still pursue butterfly watching. Through this book, I hope we will help butterflies thrive,” Wonchi added.
Vishü Rita Krocha, publisher, PenThrill Publication House said that butterflies have been a source of inspiration for literature since time immemorial and even otherwise, people naturally love butterflies.
She said the authors also highlighted in the book that “Human activities in the recent years have driven the population of butterflies to alarming levels across the earth.”
“In the last 20 years monarch butterflies have decreased by 90% and more than 50 species of butterflies haven’t been spotted for over half a century in the UK which are feared to have gone extinct. While, in India, a 10 year study from 2000-2010 showed a decline of 50% of butterfly population in Western Himalayas,” She quoted from the book.
She said these alarming figures should make us think why it is so important to protect and conserve butterflies.
Butterflies are also said to be indicators of a healthy environment and healthy ecosystem besides many other values that it has, she said.
“A Beginner’s Guide to the Butterflies of the Himalayan Realm” is a first publication of its kind that we have done and I am so impressed with the amount of work, love, and passion that the authors have invested in it,” Krocha said.
“I am sure this will go a long way in creating awareness about the need for butterfly conservation especially with Nagaland, as they have mentioned, being a butterfly hotspot,” she added.
