Andaman endemic butterflies to be on postage stamps soon

Port Blair, Aug 31 (UNI) About two species of endemic butterflies in remote Andaman and Nicobar Islands would be seen pictured on postage stamps throughout India soon.

Speaking to UNI here yesterday, Director of Postal Services in Andaman and Nicobar Islands G Madhumita Das said, ''We have studied, selected, confirmed and sent pictures of two butterflies found only in these islands, to the Head Office in New Delhi for final clearance, which is expected anytime now.'' Ms Das said the basic idea was to showcase the endemic beauty of these emerald islands to the whole world.

The idea materialised due to the efforts of Dr T.C.Khatri, a well known expert of butterflies in Andaman and the Head of the Department of Zoology in the JNRM college here.

''Dr Khatri has done extensive research on butterflies and he had suggested these names to us, which we have forwarded to the head office,'' Ms Das said.

Dr Khatri told UNI that the endemic species were named ''Andaman Mormon'' and ''Andaman Clubtail'' adding that four postage stamps depicting the male and female butterfly of each species, would be released.

This would be the first time any stamp would feature endemic butterflies of these remote islands. Till now, India Post had released various stamps on Andaman flora and fauna in which only one stamp, brought out on Andaman Teal, was unique since it is an endemic bird.

Recently, India Post also released Stamp Booklet on the Nicobari Pigeon and a special cover on the ''Megapode'' bird and vegetable cultivation in tsunami-hit Nicobar Islands.

India Post had also released stamps on mail transported by ships, which had special significance as 90 per cent mail is transported to these islands by ships and boats, the director added.

UNI