author(s)
Kashuf Batool, Nasra Ashraf and Muhammad Naeem Awan

abstract
Lack of baseline biodiversity information is widely recognized as a major barrier for identifying temporal changes in landscapes either due to anthropogenic activities or other factors crucial for the management and conservation of biological resources. We present here results of our study conducted in Salkhala game reserve between February to July 2016, Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan to set baseline on diversity and distribution of butterflies. Five transect of 500m length each were laid down in different habitat type and along altitudinal gradient to record butterflies. A total of 38 species were recorded where two most abundant recorded species were Indian Red Admiral (Vanessa indica) and White-Line Hairstreak (Strymon assamica) with n=54 individuals each and the least recorded species were Blue Peacock (Papilio arcturus) and Common Windmill (Atrophaneura polyeuctes) which recorded n=34 individuals. Forest cuttings, grass cuttings, unsustainable utilization of natural Resources, lack of conservation awareness, unmanaged grazing were recorded as the major threats to the butterflies’ fauna. Established survey plots provide baseline to be used to monitor the butterfly diversity in future. Development of a conservation and management plan for the game reserve would be of great value towards management of biodiversity in the study area.