The province of Artvin, on the easternmost part of Turkey's Black Sea coast, is known for its beautiful nature, but is also home to 45 percent of all butterfly species in the country.

Artvin, which is one of the richest regions in terms of fauna and flora, is attracting an increasing number of nature tourists who want to photograph what the province can offer. Assistant Professor Temel Göktürk from the Artvin Çoruh University Faculty of Forestry said one could come across hundreds of butterfly species in rural regions while walking around villages and forests. "The southern slopes of the Kaçkar Mountains, Çoruh Valley and along the Barhal River are especially rich in terms of butterfly species," he said. "Yusufeli Barhal Valley is the richest region. It's also home to many butterfly species that face extinction in the rest of Europe. Moreover, at least a dozen species that face extinction in the rest of the world live within the borders of Artvin. The Çoruh Valley preserved its warm climate during the last ice age and became one of the richest regions in terms of butterflies as a result."

The entire European continent was once home to 482 different types of butterfly species while Turkey alone had 480 species, Göktürk said. He called for a butterfly park where people can observe the butterflies in their natural environment, stressing that such parks attract millions of tourists every year in Europe and the U.S. He also recommended those interested to visit the region in July and August when the butterflies were most plentiful.

However, he warned about the dangers of bio-smuggling that has become prevalent at the same time, asking locals to alert authorities if they see anyone collecting butterflies without a permit.