Orange Oakleaf to Become Chhattisgarh’s Official State Butterfly

The Chhattisgarh Orange Oakleaf (Kallima inachus) has been selected as the first state butterfly of state of Chhattisgarh through an online vote from July 31st to August 31st 2026. It get 3,000 out of the total 5,813 votes that were recorded during the vote. The choice of the species is attributed to its unique ability to blend into its surroundings when the wings are folded, making the butterfly look like a dry leaf. The proposal was finalized during the 15th State Wildlife Board meeting.

Characteristics of Orange Oakleaf

The Orange Oakleaf butterfly, known scientifically as the Kallima inachus, is a species that has successful leaf-like camouflage. When the butterfly closes its wings, it resembles a dull, dried leaf making it indistinguishable from its surroundings and thus evades any predator threat.

When the wings are opened, the butterfly shows a brilliant orange colour together with black and deep blue features. This duality is what makes this butterfly unique.

State Butterfly Poll Results

The poll was conducted online on a Google Form from July 31 to August 31, 2026. Three butterfly species were shortlisted by the relevant authorities based on various criteria.

Butterfly name	Scientific name	Votes
Orange	Oakleaf Kallima inachus	3000
Common Banded Peacock	Papilio crino	1606
Spot Swordtail	Graphium nomius	1207

The Orange Oakleaf attracted about 51.6% of all votes, hence beating the two other species.

The wildlife board approved the selected species of butterfly for the state in its 15th meeting and now the decision awaits government clearance.

Butterfly Species Diversity in Chhattisgarh and India

A state biodiversity study in 2025 revealed that there were 201 butterfly species native to Chhattisgarh as per the report.

There are an estimated 1,500 butterfly species found in India. Butterflies have their role in the proper functioning of the ecosystem by being involved in pollination and can even be used as indicators of the environment.

Therefore, protecting butterfly habitats protects native vegetation and other species found in ecosystems.

State and UT With State Butterfly

As per the report, once the decision made in Chhattisgarh becomes official, it will become the ninth state and second Union Territory to have a state butterfly.

State/Union Territory	State Butterfly
Maharashtra	Blue Mormon
Karnataka	Southern Birdwing
Kerala	Malabar Banded Peacock
Tamil Nadu	Tamil Yeoman
Goa	Malabar Tree Nymph
Uttarakhand	Common Peacock
Arunachal Pradesh	Kaiser-i-Hind
Madhya Pradesh	Orange Oakleaf
Chandigarh (UT)	Striped Tiger

The first to start the initiative was the Maharashtra state when it adopted the Blue Mormon in 2015. The Orange Oakleaf is also the state butterfly for Madhya Pradesh as per the report provided.