Context: Dusted Apollo, a rare high-altitude butterfly was recently sighted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh near Manimahesh Lake in Chamba.

About Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus)

• It is a rare, distinctive, and high-altitude butterfly, first discovered in 1890, and closely resembles the Ladakh Banded Apollo.

• Appearance: It has a complete discal band on the upper forewing that extends from costa to the first vein.

• Unique features: Its wing patterns including a discal band on the upper forewing and a narrow dark marginal band on the hind wings.

• The dark marginal band on the hind wings is much narrower compared to the Ladakh Banded Apollo.

• Geographical Distribution: Its range extends from Ladakh to West Nepal.

• It is found in the inner Himalayas and flies at altitudes between 3,500 to 4,800 meters.

• Threats: Increased risk of poaching, and loss of habitat due to human intervention.

• Conservation: Community awareness about poaching and the establishment of butterfly parks and conservation reserves are suggested measures for their protection.

• Five out of the 11 Apollo species recorded in Himachal Pradesh are declared as Scheduled species.

• Other Observations: Another rare species, the Regal Apollo, protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, was also photographed at Manimahesh.

About Manimahesh Lake

• The Manimahesh or Dal Lake is a high-altitude lake in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas, in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh.

• This lake is situated at an altitude of 13,000 feet at the foot of the Kailash peak (18,564 ft).

• The religious significance of this lake is next to that of the Lake Manasarovar in Tibet.

• ‘Manimahesh Yatra’ is a highly revered pilgrimage trek undertaken during the Hindu month of Bhadon (August-September), on the eighth day of the New Moon.

• Lord Shiva is the presiding deity of this fair / Jatra, who is believed to reside in Mt. Kailash.

• Pilgrims take a holy dip in this lake and two other water bodies, Gauri Kund and Shiva Kroti located close to the lake.