Dr. Monwar Hossain
Lepidopterist & Associate Professor
Dr. Monwar Hossain is an Associate Professor of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University. He received his Ph.D from Kanazawa University, Japan in 2007. Before that he was awarded with a pre-doctoral fellowship to work on 'Butterfly colour vision system' at Yokohama City University, Japan during 1999-2001. On the basis of his Ph.D findings, he declared for the first time a master cell in the brain of the insect; responsible for molting and metamorphosis. It was published in FEBS Journal in 2006.
Dr. Monwar started his research on butterflies for the first time in 1995 while working as a research fellow at Dhaka University. Since joining -- in 1996 -- the Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University, he has been pursuing research on butterfly taxonomy, ecology and conservation. He convened “Butterfly Fair” on the campus of Jahangirnagar University in 2010, which was the first of its kind in Bangladesh. This fair was designed to create environmental awareness among the masses in the country to conserve butterflies.
Jahangirnagar University campus is very rich in biodiversity. A total of 110 species of butterflies have been documented here, out of a possible 500. It is very rare to have such diversity in a small place like JU campus. Because of many reasons, including picnic, noises, as well as indiscriminately cutting trees and clearing bushes, the number of butterfly species is on a steady decline.
Photo: Dr. Monwar Hossain
The first investigation on butterflies conducted from 1996 to 1997, recorded the existence of 51 species of butterflies on JU campus. Of these, 21 were recorded for the first time in Bangladesh. The next study conducted from 2003 to 2004 recorded the presence of 80 species of butterflies of which 36 were found for the first time in the country. In 2010, four new species were recorded. The four species were Striped Pierrot (Tarucus nara), Monkey Puzzle (Rathindra amor), Blue Pansy (Junonia orithya), and Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui).
Outside JU, three more species of butterflies were identified which were completely new in the record of those in Bangladesh. The newly recorded species are Purple Sapphire from Chimbuk, and Common Tinsel and Orange Awlet -- both recorded at Lawacherra Forest. All of these documentations were headed by Dr. Monwar Hossain and his research group from the Department of Zoology, Jahangirnagar University.
The greatest economic importance of butterflies comes from their function as pollinators of crops. They are used in food chains for other animals like birds, lizards, mammals, spiders, and also for other insects. In many places around the world, certain human cultures also harvest caterpillars for food. Catching of butterflies for trade is a big business today with the world turnover between US$ 20 to 30 million per year. Besides these, butterflies are nowadays used in various researches, from behaviour to molecular level. Recently, a group of Chinese and Japanese scientists showed that by replicating the biotemplates of the butterfly wings, it is possible to make various optically active structures (Wang et al., 2009). These could be used as solar cells for powering homes, businesses and also for other purposes in the future. In Bangladesh, we have a rich butterfly biodiversity. Therefore, we have a great opportunity to benefit from its research and industrial uses. On the other hand, it is also possible to earn millions of dollars a year from export of the species to various countries. Furthermore, the ecotourism industry should be developed where endemic flora-fauna including butterflies will be preserved and displayed. Through this industry the local people involved would be able to partake in income generating services.
At present, massive habitat destruction inside the forest and other plain areas has led to the decline of butterfly species on the campus and also in the country. In addition, their role in ecology and conservation initiative remains ignored for long. Therefore, the government should come forward to assess the butterfly species status and habitat restoration for the endangered species in Bangladesh.
Recently, students of JU have handed out leaflets, titled “Butterfly Conservation Initiative”, that feature 40 images of different spices of butterfly, on behalf of the Department of Zoology, JU. This will provide simple identification of the commonly seen butterflies in Bangladesh as well as on the JU campus. The leaflets will work as a part of their initiatives to build awareness for the conservation of butterflies.
They also built a small “Butterfly Hut” where they mass-reared endangered butterfly species (like Plain Tiger) in huge quantities and re-introduced them in nature. The concerned body has also arranged a “Butterfly Fair” on JU campus to generate awareness. Their vision is to keep a rich bio-diversity for future generation to study and enjoy.
So far four leaflets have been published on butterflies by the Department of Zoology, JU. These leaflets will help all the beginners and amateurs who have an interest in butterfly. These will provide simple identification for commonly seen butterflies in Bangladesh. These leaflets are offered to visitors/students as part of the conservation-awareness initiative.
Compiled by Correspondent
Sayam U Chowdhury
Ornithologist
Sayam U Chowdhury is a freelance researcher, working on wildlife conservation for the last eight years. After finishing his undergraduate degree in Environmental Science from North South University, he has been involved in conservation research with especial focus on globally threatened species in Bangladesh.
With grants and support from several international conservation organisations including U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, British Ornithologists' Union, British Ecological Society and Rufford Small Grant Foundation, he carried out significant research as the principal investigator on critically endangered Spoon-billed Sandpiper, endangered Masked Finfoot, Baer's Pochard and many other species.
His work has been published in international peer-reviewed journals and acknowledged by wildlife scientists. As an avid field ornithologist, Chowdhury extensively travelled across Bangladesh and south-east Asia. He has also conducted Asian Waterbird Census since 2005 and is experienced in bird ringing/banding/satellite tracking activities in Bangladesh. In addition, Chowdhury has acquired working knowledge on Bangladeshi mammals, especially bears and dolphins.
Chowdhury's wildlife photos have been published in BirdingAsia, Nature Quest, local and international conservation magazines, conservation focused materials of international climate change related projects, posters and brochures. Moreover, he is serving as an Executive Editor of Nature Quest (of The Daily Star) and as a Secretary of Bangladesh Bird Club.
Compiled by Correspondent
Mahfujur Rahman
Environmental Writer
Mahfujur Rahman graduated in Environmental Sciences from Jahangirnagar University where, with some friends, he founded the Bangladesh Scientific Association of Students (BSAS) in December 2005. After working as advocacy and communication officer at the NGO Forum for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation, he joined the Department of Environment as research officer under CDM Capacity Building and Baseline Development Project.
He has worked as a research officer at Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS), considered a pioneering environmental and development research organisation in Bangladesh. He has also worked as a full-time journalist at The Independent for some time.
Mahfujur won the first prize of United Nations Population Fund Media Award (under print-English category) for his article on population and environment published in The Daily Star in 2008. In early 2010, he was awarded by ICIMOD, Nepal for his write-up on the Himalayan country's vulnerability to climate change.
Mahfujur Rahman talks on population and environment on Bangladesh Betar (radio) and writes for the environment page of The Daily Star.
His mission is to promote science for economic development, conserve the environment, and mitigate socio-political conflicts. He also promotes sustainable interaction between humans and nature.
Compiled by Correspondent