Context:

• In a one-of-its-kind polls, the Rajasthan state government will let the public vote and select the state's most magnificent butterfly.
• According to the Principal secretary of Forest, Environment and Climate Change department, the move was to promote nature conservation as butterflies are important biological indicators that reflect the health of the environment.

Key Points:

• It is important to have a state butterfly as it will help to generate awareness about nature. These beautiful insects warn us about changes in the environment like pollution and global warming. They have always been celebrated in the folklore and music of Rajasthan.
• With this background, the state forest department sought suggestions/nominations from all walks of the society to choose Rajasthan's state butterfly.
• The department is trying to make this process more scientific. Currently, they have asked the public to choose a butterfly. With the help of scientists and public opinion, they will take a call and propose the recommendation to the department and government.
• Some 13 butterfly species have been voted for, so far, and more are in the race. The name of the state butterfly will be announced after consulting a committee of ecologists, scientists, conservationists and other experts after the voting is over.
• The seven states in the country that have declared their 'state butterfly' are Maharashtra (Blue Mormon), Uttarakhand (Common peacock), Karnataka (Southern birdwings), Kerala (Malabar banded peacock), Tamil Nadu (Tamil yeoman) and Arunachal Pradesh (Kaisar-i-hind).
• According to Principal Chief Conservator of forests, Rajasthan is home to over 105 species of butterflies and quite a few of them are endemic to the state. Rajasthan will soon become be the eighth Indian state to have a state butterfly. The department has invited online nominations through its official portal and received an overwhelming response as of now.
• Some of the attributes that are being considered are the uniqueness of the species, endemic and ecological status, encounter rate, aesthetic appeal, conservation status and its associated cultural importance.