First live female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly photographed in India from Sikkim
Often referred to as the “Emperor of India,” the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis, Hope 1843) is a rare and majestic species, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.
LOCAL
On a quiet winter afternoon in the temperate forests of Ravangla, history fluttered into view. At 2:30 PM on January 3, 2025, veterinary doctors Dr. Chewang Norbu Bhutia and his wife Dr. Hishey Ongmu Bhutia captured a moment that had never before been documented in India; a live female Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly, glistening in the forest canopy at 2,300 meters.
Often referred to as the “Emperor of India,” the Kaiser-i-Hind (Teinopalpus imperialis, Hope 1843) is a rare and majestic species, protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022. The sighting marks the first confirmed live photograph of a female of the species in the country, an extraordinary milestone for butterfly conservation and biodiversity research.
The identification of the butterfly was verified by an enthusiastic team of experts and conservationists including Nawang Gyatso Bhutia, Limca Book of Records holder, and members of the Butterflies and Moths of Sikkim Nature Conservation Society (BAMOS-NCS). Their collaborative verification was further supported by renowned lepidopterists Dr. Monsoon Jyoti Gogoi and Dr. Sailendra Dewan from ATREE, adding scientific weight to the discovery.
This remarkable sighting was shared publicly by Dr. Chewang Bhutia during the Cho-dzo Fest 2025 – Discover Rabong on April 14, where he lauded BAMOS-NCS for their “highly beneficial and informative awareness program,” acknowledging the significance of community-based conservation in such discoveries.
But this story isn’t just about a butterfly; it’s about a growing movement. Sikkim, with over 720 recorded butterfly species, is fast becoming a global hotspot for butterfly tourism, a sustainable and educational form of eco-tourism. BAMOS-NCS continues to lead this charge, blending awareness campaigns, butterfly trails, and educational outreach to foster love for the environment while supporting local livelihoods.
Dr. Bhutia’s own commitment extends beyond the forest. Through his eco-conscious venture Craft Fibers, he uplifts rural women artisans by promoting handlooms made from natural fibers like angora, yak wool, and hemp.
In a time when the Kaiser-i-Hind’s habitat is shrinking in regions like Darjeeling and the Northeast due to invasive species and shifting cultivation, this record from Sikkim offers hope and a renewed call to protect the rich ecological tapestry of the Eastern Himalayas.