Guwahati: Aaranyak, a leading organization dedicated to biodiversity conservation through research, training, and conservation activities, conducted a Hoolock gibbon conservation training program for frontline forest staff of the Assam Forest Department.
The week-long residential training was conducted in collaboration with Jorhat Forest Division with support from The Habitats Trust, and IUCN Primate Specialists Group for the 4th batch of forest staff from September 16 to 22.
Over twenty-two frontline staff from 10 Forest divisions of Assam— Cachar Forest Division, Dima Hasao East Forest Division, Dima Hasao West Forest Division, Doomdooma Forest Division, Hailakandi Forest Division, Karbi Anglong East Forest Division, Karbi Anglong West Forest Division, Sivsagar Forest Division, and South Nagaon Forest Division— were imparted training by Aaranyak.
The Western Hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), India’s only ape, is exclusively found in the seven northeastern states along the southern bank of the Dibang-Brahmaputra river system. Unfortunately, poaching, habitat encroachment, and fragmentation pose significant threats to their survival in India.
Compounding the problem is a lack of awareness about Hoolock gibbons among various segments of the population, including newly appointed foresters in the Assam Forest Department.
Frontline staff working in the field are often unfamiliar with the diverse aspects of Hoolock gibbon conservation strategies.
Aiming to foster a conservation mindset among frontline staff in Assam, Aaranyak has developed a training series titled “Training of Forest Frontline Staff for the Conservation of Hoolock Gibbons in Assam in 2024.”
The training program covered a diverse range of topics, including biodiversity conservation in Northeast India, primate conservation with a focus on Hoolock gibbons, population estimation and census techniques, data collection and management, floristic study methods, Gibbon habitat characteristics and restoration, population and habitat monitoring, rescue and rehabilitation efforts, GPS applications in fieldwork, and legal orientation on wildlife laws and their implementation.
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The training program, held at Gibbon Conservation Centre of Aaranyak at Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Mariani, was inaugurated by Nandha Kumar, Divisional Forest Officer of Jorhat Forest Division.
The training concluded with the distribution of the study material such as training Manuals, Gibbon books, Posters, Stickers, and Certificates, among the trainees.
