A Report on Big Butterfly Month 2024 Workshop by Atree Foundation

Big Butterfly Month 2024 Report
School of Life Sciences (Department of Zoology and Botany)
Sikkim Alpine University, Main Campus, Kamrang, Namchi, 737126

Date: September 10^th and 11^th, 2024

The Big Butterfly Month 2024 workshop, a collaborative event organized by the ATREE Foundation, the School of Life Sciences (Zoology and Botany Dept), and the IQAC, Sikkim Alpine University, concluded successfully on the 11th of September 2024 at the Main Campus, Kamrang.

The two-day workshop aimed to educate and empower participants with knowledge on butterfly diversity, identification, documentation, and the use of citizen science tools. The event was meticulously planned and executed, ensuring that all objectives were achieved.

Day 1: 10th September 2024

The workshop commenced with the registration of participants by Dr. Sailendra Dewan from ATREE, Gangtok. This was followed by a welcome address delivered by Dr. Aditya Moktan Tamang, setting the tone for the event. The esteemed Registrar, Dr. Vijay Kr. Gulati, whose presence among us was a testament to the university’s dedication to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

Dr. Sailendra Dewan from ATREE, Gangtok, outlined the objectives of the training, emphasizing the importance of butterfly conservation and research. Dr. Sailendra Dewan then presented a talk on the butterfly diversity of Sikkim, highlighting the unique species found in the region. The session then focused on butterfly identification and documentation techniques, led by Dr. Sailendra Dewan.

Post lunch, Mr. Rohit George from ATREE, Gangtok, then introduced the participants to the Butterfly Big Month (BBM) initiative. Mr. Rohit George also conducted a hands-on training session on the iNaturalist app and other citizen science tools, equipping participants with practical skills for butterfly observation and data collection.

Day 2: 11th September 2024

The second day began with a field visit to Kitchudumra Biodiversity Park at Namchi led by Dr. Sailendra Dewan, Mr. Rohit George and Ms Pema Yangden from ATREE, Gangtok, providing participants with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired. The lunch break was followed by a session on data collation and debriefing, where participants shared their experiences and findings.

The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Dr. Subhankar Gurung, IQAC coordinator (Department of Botany) SAU, acknowledging the contributions of all involved.

The event was well-received by all participants, and feedback indicated a high level of satisfaction with the content and organization of the workshop. The collaborative effort between ATREE, the School of Life Sciences, and IQAC has set a strong foundation for future endeavours in butterfly conservation and research.