Primatologist discusses conservation possibilities for Hoolock gibbon, Golden langur

GUWAHATI: Assam-based senior primatologist Dr Dilip Chetry represented the State at the recently held International Primatological Society-Malaysian Primatological Society (IPS-MPS) Joint Meeting 2023 themed Primates And People: A new Horizon in Kuching, Malaysia.

He is also the head of the Primate Research and Conservation Division of biodiversity conservation organization Aaranyak (www.aaranyak.org). Over 600 participants from 60 countries attended the grand event and another 150 attended virtually during August 19-August 25.

Dr Chetry presented a paper under the title ‘Identification of Knowledge gap for Future Conservation of Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) in India’ at the Gibbon Symposium addressing knowledge gaps and for saving the small apes; lessons from Research, Conservation, and Outreach Part 1. In a presentation to a group of scientists, primatologists, Gibbonologists attending the meeting, he discussed the conservation status and future conservation opportunities for western Hoolock gibbons in India.

During his session at Malaysia’s Swinburne University’s Global Primate Conservation Talk-Planet of the Primates : A night with the International Primatologists event, he talked on ‘Hoolock gibbon and its conservation in India’" by highlighting the threats and successful conservation initiatives by Government of India a4nd Government of Assam by declaring National Parks where the flagship species is the Hoolock gibbon. He also elaborated about Aaranyak’s conservation efforts for this species.

Western Hoolock gibbon is only the ape of India and distributed to the seven northeastern states of India and restricted to Southern Bank of Brahmaputra -Debang river system. It is categorized as an endangered by IUCN and under the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972, western and eastern hoolock gibbons are listed on Schedule 1.

Dr Chetry also delivered a talk on ‘Habitat Corridors of Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) in Bongaigaon district of Assam, India’ during a symposium on ‘Impacts of Development on Primates: Gaps, Lesson Learnt, and Potential Solutions’ during the same day-long event, stated a press release.

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