The logo of our lab showcases a female of the Kaiser-i-Hind butterfly (Teinopalpus imperialis). This butterfly is not only stunningly beautiful, but it also represents an iconic Himalayan species that is a habitat specialist and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. It is legally protected in India under the WildLife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, highlighting its conservation importance. Females of the species are rarely encountered in nature, so their sightings are even more special.
This logo represents our work on Indian and especially Himalayan species, some of which are endemic and some are habitat specialists. Our lab has been discovering new species as well as populations of endangered species and studying their biology for the past 20 years.