Goa has a rich splattering of 254 species of butterflies and quite a few of them are endemic to the state. Soon, Goa is set to become the seventh Indian state to have a state butterfly. The forest department has formed a committee of ecologists and has begun consultations with over a hundred scientists, conservationists and other experts.
There are five butterfly species that have been shortlisted and are in the race to be declared as the states emblem species.
Goa already has a designated state animal, tree and bird, and now it is time to nominate a state butterfly to recognise its ecological significance and conservation value.