Rio Conventions Pavilion TV, CBD COP11 (12/10/2012) – Prof. S. Tej Kumar of the Butterfly Conservation Society describes the biodiversity issues faced by butterflies and the potential challenges to human society if they are not protected.

Kumar blames habitat destruction for a major decline in the butterfly population, noting that as cities have grown, forests both large and small have disappeared. He highlights that butterflies can be very dependent on particular species of plant so can be particularly vulnerable to habitat loss.

Kumar also outlines the way in which butterflies interact with the wider ecosystem as pollinators and bio-indicators, demonstrating the necessity of their preservation.