GUWAHATI: Aaranyak, in partnership with Namdapha Tiger Reserve Authority and Arcus Foundation, has been conducting Hoolock gibbon conservation education and awareness programmes in the fringe areas around the Reserve, which is located in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang district.
This initiative aims to raise awareness and inspire students in the region to protect this endangered species.
This initiative, which began in August this year at Upper Primary School, Miao, has since reached 17 schools ranging from upper primary to higher secondary levels within the Miao subdivision of the Changlang district.
This is the first-of-its-kind initiative in the state, focusing on students from the fringes of Namdapha Tiger Reserve.
The initiative undertaken by the Primate Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak aims to create a community of motivated students who can contribute to future gibbon conservation efforts.
The sessions included lectures, documentaries, discussions, and distribution of educational materials.
V.K. Jawal, Director of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, praised Aaranyak for this initiative and highlighted the importance of Hoolock gibbon conservation as it the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh. He noted that the program indirectly benefits tiger conservation as well.
Dr. Dilip Chetry, senior primatologist from Aaranyak and head of its Primate Research and Conservation Division, who also serves as the Vice Chair of the IUCN Primate Specialist Group (South Asia), emphasised that the Western Hoolock gibbon is the only ape species found in India and is genetically very close to humans.
He stated that this endangered, arborial, frugivorous primate, found in the seven northeastern states of India, is restricted to areas south of the Brahmaputra-Dibang river system.
The Namdapha Tiger Reserve, spanning 2,220 sq. km, is a crucial habitat for the gibbons.
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Dr Chetry stressed that habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting are the major threats to the Hoolock gibbon across its distribution range.
He believes that this education programme will boost efforts to conserve not only the Hoolock gibbon but also the overall biodiversity of Namdapha Tiger Reserve and the adjoining area.
