Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, during the World Environment Day celebrations, declared Blue Duke as the State Butterfly of Sikkim.
Blue Duke, a native butterfly species of Sikkim, edged past another contender Krishna Peacock to be announced as the State Butterfly of Sikkim.
The two butterflies, among the 720-odd butterfly species, had been shortlisted for the State Butterfly nominations.
Blue Duke is found at an altitude below 1,500 metres in the Himalayas and is commonly found in places like Pakyong, Passingdong and Hee-Gyathang in Dzongu, Lingee in South Sikkim and Yangsum in West Sikkim and closer to the State capital in places like Tadong and Ranka.
