The Barekuri village of the Tinsukia District of Assam celebrated Intentional Gibbon Day. This day is celebrated to spread awareness about the Hoolock Gibbon.
The Hoolock Gibbon is a protected species of primates found in the Northeastern part of India and the neighboring regions of Myanmar and China. It is also the only ape species found in India. They are actually two separate species namely the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) and the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys). Both the species appear in the IUCN Red List of animals. The first one has a an Endangered status while the second has been marked as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Located in Upper Assam, the small village of Barekuri has a long heritage of co-existence with this primate. So much so that they are considered as parts of the community. And stories of this become an example of sustainability and conservation across the world.
Keeping up with the tradition of conservation of this species in this region, the local community, with support from Oil India Limited and Tinsukia Colloge as well as the organizations Barekuri Parivesh Unnayan Samity, Green Vision NE and Moran Jatiya Mahila Parisad, the International Gibbon Day was organised as a two day event. It was attended by many conservationists and naturalists of the state. Speaking on the occasion, Padma Shri Jadav Payeng told that a proposal will soon be put up to the government to set up a Hoolock Gibbon research center in the region. Protection of the natural home of this primate, the hollong tree, by marking it as the state tree of Assam was also discussed in the event. Cultural shows, competitions and open discussions were organized to spread awareness.
Feature Image Courtesy : Neeraj K Phookan.
