Namdapha Butterfly Festival opens in Miao, Chowna Mein pitches ecotourism

Arunachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday opened the ninth Namdapha Butterfly Festival at Miao in Changlang district, saying the event could become a major platform for tourism and research.

Bigger stage for Namdapha

The festival began in a small way in 2018, Mein said, according to an official statement carried by PTI. He said it now needed to be taken to a larger platform so that Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve, and Arunachal's natural and cultural diversity, reach a wider audience.

He spoke about the park's potential for ecotourism, adventure sports, trekking and wildlife tourism, and said the state government would back such events, improve tourism infrastructure and encourage local communities and young people to take part. Namdapha's biodiversity deserved more recognition and sustained promotion, he said, calling for joint efforts to make Arunachal a leading destination for nature-based tourism.

Why Namdapha matters

Namdapha, spread across the Patkai hills along the Myanmar border, is one of India's largest protected areas and is often described as a butterfly capital of the country, with more than 500 recorded species, including rarities such as the Kaiser-i-Hind. Previous editions of the festival have been organised by the state forest department with local homestays and youth groups, and have included guided butterfly walks and conservation sessions.

Other projects at Miao

During the visit, Mein also inspected construction of the permanent state sports academy at Miao and inaugurated a maternity and child care centre at the Community Health Centre and a youth activity and development centre.

He was accompanied by Assembly Speaker Tesam Pongte, Chief Minister's advisor and Miao-Vijoynagar MLA Kamlung Mosang, Nampong MLA Laisam Simai and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife and Biodiversity) Samuel Changkija.

The festival's full schedule and closing date were not given in the official statement.