Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’?
Contents12
- AArunachal Pradesh,
- BHimachal Pradesh
- CKarnataka
- DMaharashtra
Show answer
Answer: (D) Maharashtra
Answer: (d) Maharashtra
Maharashtra became the first state in India to declare a 'State Butterfly' - the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor).
Key facts:
- The Blue Mormon is a large, striking swallowtail butterfly with blue-black wings
- Found primarily in Western Ghats of Maharashtra, South India, and Sri Lanka
- Second largest butterfly in India (after Southern Birdwing)
- NOT endangered - relatively common, especially during monsoon
The declaration happened in 2015, making Maharashtra a pioneer in this initiative.
Why not the others?
(a) Arunachal Pradesh - Did not declare a state butterfly first.
(b) Himachal Pradesh - Same.
(c) Karnataka - Common wrong guess, but Maharashtra was first.
Memory tip: Maharashtra + Blue Mormon = India's first state butterfly.
Maharashtra was the first Indian state to declare an official state butterfly, the Blue Mormon, in 2015.
This question tests awareness of state-level biodiversity conservation initiatives, which became more prominent after India's National Biodiversity Action Plan updates in the 2010s.
UPSC is checking if students track pioneering conservation measures by individual states, not just central government policies.
Maharashtra State Butterfly
Environment State Butterfly Maharashtra Blue Mormon
Blue Mormon: Maharashtra's State Butterfly & India's First
Maharashtra became India's first state to declare a State Butterfly in 2015
Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor) is Maharashtra's designated state butterfly
Blue Mormon is India's second-largest butterfly after Southern Birdwing
Found primarily in Western Ghats region and Sri Lanka
Context
In 2015, Maharashtra pioneered the concept of State Butterfly in India by officially declaring the Blue Mormon as its state butterfly. This was the first such declaration by any Indian state.
Blue Mormon Key Features
Large swallowtail butterfly with distinctive blue-black wings
Second largest butterfly in India (after Southern Birdwing)
Scientific name: Papilio polymnestor
Not endangered - relatively common species
Peak activity during monsoon season in Western Ghats
Question Connection
This 2016 UPSC question tested awareness of Maharashtra's pioneering conservation initiative. The timing (2015 declaration, 2016 question) and uniqueness (first state to do this) made it a perfect current affairs question.
Blue Mormon Butterfly
Source: Jungle Camps India — The Big Blue Mormon: Pride of Maharashtra - Jungle Camps India · junglecampsindia.com
Karnataka trap: Students often guess Karnataka due to its strong environmental record, but Maharashtra was first
Western Ghats confusion: Blue Mormon is found across Western Ghats, but Maharashtra declared it first
Endangered assumption: Blue Mormon is NOT endangered - it's relatively common during monsoons
State Symbols in India
Indian Polity State Butterfly
Official State Symbols: Types & Constitutional Basis
States can adopt official symbols under State List powers in Constitution
Common symbols: State Bird, Animal, Tree, Flower - butterfly is newest addition
State symbols promote local biodiversity awareness and conservation
Common State Symbol Categories
Symbol Type | Purpose | Example States | Conservation Link |
|---|---|---|---|
State Bird | Promote avian conservation | Most states have one | Direct species protection |
State Animal | Highlight local fauna | All states have one | Habitat conservation focus |
State Tree | Forest conservation | Most states have one | Ecosystem preservation |
State Flower | Botanical heritage | Many states have one | Floral diversity awareness |
State Butterfly | Insect conservation (newest) | Only Maharashtra (2015) | Pollinator protection |
Constitutional Framework
State symbols fall under State List (List II) of Seventh Schedule
No central government approval needed for state symbol declarations
Symbols often reflect regional biodiversity and cultural identity
Growing trend toward lesser-known species for conservation awareness
Central vs State confusion: State symbols are State List subjects, not Concurrent List
Mandatory assumption: State symbols are optional - states choose to adopt them
Western Ghats Biodiversity
Environment Blue Mormon
Western Ghats: Butterfly Diversity & Conservation Significance
Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and biodiversity hotspot
Home to Blue Mormon and many endemic butterfly species
Covers 6 states: Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra, Gujarat
1,600+ flowering plant species and rich insect diversity
Biodiversity Significance
The Western Ghats stretch over 1,600 km along India's western coast, forming one of the world's top biodiversity hotspots. This mountain range supports exceptional butterfly diversity including the Blue Mormon and numerous endemic species.
Western Ghats Coverage by State
State | Western Ghats Area | Notable Butterflies | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Kerala | Largest coverage | Southern Birdwing, Blue Mormon | Multiple National Parks |
Tamil Nadu | Nilgiri region | Tamil Lacewing, Blue Mormon | Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve |
Karnataka | Central section | Southern Birdwing, Paris Peacock | Kudremukh, Agumbe |
Maharashtra | Northern section | Blue Mormon (State Butterfly) | Sahyadri Tiger Reserve |
Goa | Small section | Common Rose, Lime Butterfly | Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary |
Gujarat | Northernmost tip | Plain Tiger, Common Crow | Limited coverage |
Western Ghats Range
Source: MapsforUPSC — Biodiversity Hotspots in India: Map, Criteria & Key Features · mapsforupsc.com
State coverage: Western Ghats cover 6 states, not just Kerala-Karnataka as commonly assumed
Endemic vs Native: Many species are endemic to Western Ghats, meaning found nowhere else
Monsoon dependency: Butterfly diversity peaks during monsoons in Western Ghats