GUWAHATI: In a bid to boost conservation efforts of the endangered Western Hoolock gibbon species, a training programme was held at the Gibbon Conservation Centre within the Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam’s Jorhat district recently.
A collaborative initiative between the Aaranyak, Assam Forest Department’s Jorhat Forest Division, The Habitat Trusts, IUCN SSC Primate Specialists Group, and IUCN Primate Section of Small Apes, the programme aimed to equip frontline forest staff with the necessary tools and knowledge to safeguard the species.
With enthusiastic participation from 29 forest frontline staff members, the training programme signifies a pivotal step towards fostering a cadre of dedicated conservationists poised to safeguard the Hoolock gibbons and their fragile habitats in Assam.
The week-long residential training course, slated to conclude on April 2, comprises a comprehensive curriculum covering diverse topics crucial to Hoolock gibbon conservation.
These include biodiversity and primates’ conservation with a focus on Hoolock gibbons, census techniques, habitat monitoring, rescue, and rehabilitation methods, among others.
Dr Dilip Chetry, a distinguished senior scientist and renowned primatologist from Aaranyak, a biodiversity organisation, highlighted the critical need for such initiatives.
“This series of training programmes is designed to imbue forest guards, foresters, and range officers with essential skills tailored for the conservation of Hoolock gibbons in Assam,” Dr. Chetry said.
The inauguration ceremony witnessed the presence of esteemed dignitaries, including Nandha Kumar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer of Jorhat Forest Division, who underscored the significance of empowering frontline forest staff in biodiversity conservation efforts.
Addressing the trainees, Dr Chetry urged them to leverage the training to deepen their understanding of Hoolock gibbon conservation and biodiversity preservation.
The inaugural session was further enriched by insights from Animesh Medhi, Range Officer of Mariani, and facilitated by Aaranyak’s experts Mridupaban Phukon, Akshay Upadhyaya, Simanta Medhi, and Pitam Jyoti Gore.
