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Our Correspondent
Kohima, March 12 (EMN): A book titled ‘A beginner’s guide to the butterflies of the Himalayan Realm’ written by two sisters namely Wonchi Murry and Mhayani Murry was released in Kohima on Friday.
“Butterfly watching or butterflying is an emerging hobby. It is a healthy outdoor activity which also improves mental health, a way to connect with nature and plays a part in its preservation”, the introduction of the book reads.
“It is a hobby that requires luck, patience and stealth. Butterflies are cold blooded so they need the warmth of the sun to fly. They are most active when the sun emerges after a cloudy spell, especially after the rains”, the book added.
‘A beginner’s guide to the butterflies of the Himalayan Realm’ was the 38th book of the Penthrill Publication House.
The divisional forest officer of Kohima, Rajkumar M, while releasing the book, stated that in any part of the world conservation is incomplete unless community partakes. “To involve communities, books would help and create an awareness platform for better conservation,” he stated.
“In Nagaland, more than 70% are forest covered. Out of the forest cover, private or communities owned more than 88%, which is “very unique”. In such scenario, without community conservation is impossible,” he stated.
While stating that eco-tourism is a big field, the forest officer stated that eco-tourism in Nagaland was not yet tapped. He, however, expressed optimism that the potentials of eco-tourism in Nagaland would emerged as a major sector in a systematic manner.
‘Butterfly watching and butterfly walk’ are important parts of eco-tourism, he said. Stating that butterflies population are decreasing due to deforestation and human intervention, he expressed hope that the book would create awareness among the people towards conserving butterfly.
Speaking at the book launch, the medical officer of Chukitong, Dr. Thungdeno Murry, stated that the book deserves all the love and recognition.
“Butterfly watching is an indicator of balance in our mental health. As we take the time out of our hectic schedules and finally learn to let go of all worries and anxieties and just watch a butterfly dart across and flutter by and let the sheer of joy doing nothing but being present for such a miraculous event wash our souls”, the doctor observed.
Publisher of Penthrill Publication House, Vishu Rita Krocha stated that butterflies have been a source of inspiration for literature since time immemorial and even otherwise as people naturally love butterflies.
She quoted reference from a book that said, “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. In India, a 10 year study from 2000-2010 showed a decline of 50% of butterfly population in Western Himalayas.”
“The 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 added.
“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,” the publisher maintained.
She hoped that it would go a long way in creating awareness about the need for butterfly conservation especially with Nagaland.
A pathologist by profession and co-author of the book, Wonchi Murry, encouraged all to give best effort to conserve butterflies.
She added that butterfly is like a hobby, which everyone could engage inspite of professional backgrounds. She added that the book published for the sheer love for butterflies. Through the book, viewers could appreciate butterflies and watch it as a hobby in days to come, the statement added.