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Ecology & Environment
Mahesh

11/03/24 08:16 AM IST

India’s golden langur population estimated at 7,396

In News
  • There are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in India, the latest survey of the primate has revealed.
  • The comprehensive population estimation of the endangered primate was carried out in two phases by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and Conservation Himalayas.
Major Highlights
  • The entire distribution range of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) covers the Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.
  • The block count method was applied for the first time to assess the abundance, spatial distribution, and densities of the golden langur populations.
  • This method is considered to be relatively simple, cost-effective, and robust for arboreal and small group-living primates such as the golden langur
  • The population of golden langurs is divided into two major sub-populations.
  • The northern extended population, which encompasses the western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, extending from the Sankosh River to the Manas River up to the India-Bhutan border along the northern side of National Highway 27 and State Highway 2.
  • The northern population of the primate with the golden sheen was estimated at 5,566 in 534 groups and 23 lone males. The population of the southern fragments was estimated at 1,830 langurs in 173 groups and eight lone males.
  • While the Ripu Reserve Forest was home to the most (2,847) northern population golden langurs, Kokrajhar district’s Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary had 838 individuals, the most in the southern fragmented range of the primate.
  • The survey report underlined an unstable situation in the fragmented habitats of the golden langurs, particularly due to the absence of non-breeding all-male bands.
  • The primatologists involved in the survey highlighted the need for corridor linkage among the fragmented habitats through plantations and canopy bridges to offset potential threats the primates face from anthropogenic interactions.
Source- The Hindu

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