The eighth edition of the Namdapha Butterfly Festival will be held from November 26 to 28, 2025, at Khachang village in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh. This three-day celebration of biodiversity has become one of Northeast India’s most significant eco-tourism events, bringing together nature enthusiasts, researchers, and local communities in a shared commitment to conservation.
A Festival Beyond Celebration
Located just 7 kilometers from Miao, the festival has evolved into more than just an event – it has become a celebration of nature, community, and conservation, embodying joy, resilience, and shared stewardship. The Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve has extended an invitation to nature lovers, researchers, and visitors across the country to witness the mesmerizing world of butterflies, the cultural vibrancy of the local Singpho and Tangsa communities, and the spirit of environmental harmony.
The festival is being organized by the Department of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in collaboration with several community groups, including Tikak Homestay Miao, the Khachang-Mattungkhim Youth Forum, and Namdapha Jungle Camp Miao, demonstrating strong local commitment to conservation efforts.
A Biodiversity Hotspot
Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse hotspots and is home to over 500 species of butterflies, making the festival a crucial platform for eco-tourism and conservation awareness. The park spans 1,985.23 square kilometers and was established as a national park in 1983. With more than 1,000 floral and about 1,400 faunal species, it represents a biodiversity hotspot in the Eastern Himalayas.
The park is home to some of the world’s most spectacular butterflies, including the Kaiser-i-Hind, the Blue Mormon, Peacock Pansy, and the rarely seen Zig-zag Flat and Yellow-veined Lancer. The Kaiser-i-Hind, which literally means “Emperor of India,” is much sought after by butterfly lovers for its beauty and rarity. The butterfly features shimmering greens, bright yellows, and delicate blacks, with its green iridescence resulting from a three-dimensional photonic structure of the scales.
Scientific Significance and Discoveries
Every year, the festival draws numerous butterfly experts and enthusiasts from various states. The event often leads to the discovery and documentation of new butterfly species, adding to the park’s ecological significance. Previous editions of the festival have recorded impressive numbers, with one year documenting more than 211 species of butterflies and 91 species of birds.
The park’s significance was further highlighted when a butterfly was rediscovered after 61 years during a survey conducted in 2018-2019. The species, identified as Ypthima cantliei, the Great Four-ring, had not been reported since its original description approximately 61 years earlier. Such discoveries emphasize the critical role Namdapha plays in preserving Northeast India’s unique butterfly fauna.
Community Involvement and Accessibility
In a welcome move to encourage local participation and engagement, the event will be free for all local participants. This initiative ensures that the communities living in and around the tiger reserve can actively participate in celebrating and learning about their natural heritage.
Recent festivals have seen increased involvement from local communities residing in the buffer area of Namdapha. These residents enthusiastically participate in butterfly and bird walks, engaging with resource persons and other participants, enriching the overall experience for all attendees.
Arunachal Pradesh: A Butterfly Paradise
Arunachal Pradesh has recorded around 582 butterfly species so far, according to Butterflies of India. With many pristine and unexplored places in the state, this count continues to grow. Recognizing the importance of butterfly conservation, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh declared Kaiser-i-Hind as the State Butterfly during a Cabinet Meeting at the Pakke Tiger Reserve. This decision represents a sincere effort toward protecting wildlife in the state.
The remarkable diversity of butterflies attracts tourists from all over the nation, providing local employment and helping generate state revenue. Various wildlife spots hold annual events like the Butterfly Meet of Ziro, the Namdapha Butterfly Meet, and Pasighat Butterfly Meet to attract butterfly enthusiasts and tourists while helping in the discovery of new species and imparting awareness to locals.
Conservation and Eco-Tourism
The festival’s success led the Government of Arunachal Pradesh to declare it as a state calendar event, affirming support for the park’s conservation initiatives. The event serves multiple purposes beyond entertainment – it’s a crucial educational platform that brings together students, researchers, scientists, and the public on a common platform, fostering education and awareness about butterflies and their conservation.
Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has emphasized the importance of such events, stating that butterflies are integral to ecological balance and that events like the Namdapha Butterfly Festival inspire awareness and conservation efforts across the Northeast.
Looking Ahead
With the growing interest and consistent success of previous editions, this year’s festival is expected to once again create a vibrant confluence of science, culture, and conservation, celebrating the fluttering jewels of Namdapha and the people who protect them.
The Namdapha Butterfly Festival represents a perfect model of how eco-tourism can support conservation while empowering local communities. As visitors from across India gather in Khachang village this November, they will not only witness the breathtaking beauty of hundreds of butterfly species but also contribute to the preservation of one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots. The festival stands as a testament to what can be achieved when communities, conservationists, and government agencies work together toward a common goal of protecting our natural heritage.