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| Callerebia dibangensis (Image Courtesy: Purnendu Roy) |
A pleasant surprise hit us recently from the lush greenery
of Dibang Valley in Arunchal Pradesh, when Purnendu Roy, a naturalist, discovered a new butterfly species Callerebia dibangensis from Mithun Valley,
approximately 5 kilometres from Aini. The surprise was double-fold. First- The butterfly was present in the
region at least for the last 26 years,(as we know now) but was overlooked so
far. Second- Roy
was not a full-time scientist, but just a naturalist, with a particular
interest in the eastern Himalaya.
So when we contacted Roy to know more about the
story behind this discovery, he responded to us in detail. Here we share our
email interview with Purnendu Roy for our readers.
Q. What was the most difficult part in deciding the identity of the new species?
A. The only field guide I
had in 1987 was a reprint of Wynter-Blyth "Butterflies of the Indian
Region". Though pretty comprehensive it poorly covered the
northeast, the plates were of an extremely poor quality and some of the keys
were not sufficient to identify all the species you would come across in the
NE.
At the end of my trip in
1987 I had several species of interest which I could not identify. I tried
to identify them by checking the literature available at the
Zoological library. I had some success in some of the species, but the
literature on Callerebia was not
very illuminating and very few species were actually illustrated so I
reached a dead end trying to identify that specimen.
In April 2012 I assisted Sanjay
Sondhi of the Titli Trust(a non-profit nature conservation organisation based in
Dehradun) with a biodiversity survey of Pakke, Sessa
and Eaglenest in Arunachal Pradesh. At Eaglenest we saw Gonepteryx amintha
thibetana which I had previously collected from the Dibang valley in 1987, but
never reported. In the preparation of that paper,
I took the opportunity to
look again at some of the specimens I was not able to identify in 1987.
It was through the
assistance of Dr David Lees at the British Natural History Museum, London that
some of the species were finally determined, but there was nothing quite like
this Callerebia in the NHM collection and it was suggested that I
should describe it as a new species.
Not having access to
comparison materials is the biggest obstacle for identification and is one of
the main reasons why I am strong supporter of open access resources. The more
materials we have on open access the easier it will be for naturalists to
document and make discoveries.
Q. It appears to have a long gap between collecting the specimen and
publishing the study (almost more than 25 years). Why was it so delayed?
A. As I said earlier, I
reached a dead end in trying to identify some of the species. I subsequently
concentrated on my work in fair trade. In 2012, my partner insisted
that I take a sabbatical from work and go back to my interest in butteflies and
this led to me to the work of Sanjay Sondhi.
I was a member of the
Bombay Natural History society earlier, but I never really made contact with
anyone else interested in butterflies in that society. The internet has made it
easier now to connect with people and I think this is encouraging a resurgence
in Indian butterfly interest and is also enabling me to keep up my interest.
Q. In the study, you point out that Upper Dibang valley has certain
geographical characteristics which increases the endemic nature of the species
found here. Does it increase the conservation significance of the place?
A. I think so. In addition
the whole of the Dibang river watershed lies within India. It is relatively
intact with unbroken stretches of
sub-tropical forests to the permanent snow line of the main Himalayan range. I
am not sure if there is any comparable region in India.
Q. Is there any specific threat for the species in particular and the
other insect diversity in the area?
A. At the elevation it was
collected there are no specific threats. The proposed Dibang dam is
however a serious threat to the riverine forests at lower elevations as
highlighted by the MoEF forest panel which rejected the clearance.
Q. It is interesting to see that the species was overlooked for such a
long period. Is it actually pointing out that there could be more unknown
species in the area? Do you think there is need for more systematic surveys in
these areas?
A. If in a well
studied group such as butterflies a new species has been overlooked then I
think it does illustrate that more new species especially in the less studied
fauna will be discovered. There is certainly a need for more systematic studies
so that a greater range of altitudes and seasons are covered.
Q. After the publication of the study, did you get any correspondence
from any other part regarding the report of the species?
A. None as yet. Recently though another one of the species I recorded in
the Dibang valley has been photographed and an article on that species
will be published at a later date.
As I work very much with communities in fair trade. I would very much
like to see community and grass roots involvement in any conservation initiatives.
I am hope that I do get some correspondence in this respect.
Discovery of Callerebia dibangensis, is a pleasant
surprise. However, what Purnendu did, adds to the pleasant part of it. From age
immemorial, the knowledge of the biodiversity was vital for survival of the
human. So the earlier communities handed over the knowledge through their folk
songs, tales and traditional customs. When we started devouring the nature and
entrusted the responsibility of studying nature upon university courses and arm
chair scientists who hate field trips, we left out that vital knowledge, which
will decide the fate of being human.
It is again the time when we need people’s
participation in indexing and conserving biodiversity at local level. Purnendu’s
attempt, even after a long delay, is a good sign in that way. Let’s hope it
will inspire the umpteen people biodiversity initiatives budding around the
country.
