Chitwan, Aug. 7 -- A butterfly species considered extremely rare in Nepal has been sighted in Sauraha, a tourist hub in Chitwan district, for the first time in over five decades.

The silver-streaked acacia blue, which is called 'Chandi Dhasre Babulpari' in Nepali, was sighted near the entrance gate of Chitwan National Park on Tuesday. According to Tek Bahadur Gurung, a butterfly expert, the butterfly was last recorded in Nepal in 1974.

The rediscovery of this rare species has sparked hope among conservationists that Nepal's butterfly population may be more diverse than previously thought.

Gurung, who co-authored a book named Field Guide: Butterflies of Chitwan, Nepal last year, confirmed the rare finding. The butterfly species was firs...