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Gibbon Conservation Project
The Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Jorhat District of Assam is the only protected area in India to be named after a primate species. The sanctuary with an area of 20.98 hectare is situated at 26°40" to 26°45" N and 94°20" to 94°25" E and is located in the south bank of the Great Brahmaputra river system .The sanctuary which harbors seven species of primates including Hoolock Gibbon has been declared mainly for the conservation of Hoolock Gibbon. Keeping in view the importance of GWLS as a stronghold of Hoolock gibbon, a program under the title "Conservation of Hoolock Gibbon through Education, Awareness and Socio-economic development of the fringe area community in Gibbon Wild Life Sanctuary, Assam, India" was launched. The program was supported by US Fish and Wildlife Service (GACF). A number of activities were carried out during the project period in the year 2004. The project was started with a detail socio-economic survey of the fringe villages of the sanctuary. It was followed by different educational activities like (i.) Slides shows and conservation lectures, (ii.) Essay competition, (iii.) Quiz Competition and (iv.) Field visit. Altogether 7 Colleges, 3 Junior Colleges Students, 65 schools in total of which 18 were Primary Schools, 20 Middle Schools, 23 High Schools, and 6 Higher Secondary Schools of the nearby areas of the sanctuary were covered by these educational programs. In total 4000 college students, 900 Junior College students, 2500 Higher Secondary School students, 4000 High School Students, 5000 Middle School students and 2800 Primary School students participated in slide shows organised in phases. Field visit program also gained overwhelming response and its participation list includes as many as 800 Primary school students, 2000 M.E. School students, 2800 High School and Higher Secondary School students, 900 Junior College students and 4000 College students. The programs generated enthusiasm among the student community. A series of awareness activities were also carried out hand in hand with the education program. The awareness activities include (i.) Anti Poaching Training Camp for forest staff, (ii.) Orientation Camp also for forest staff, (iii.) Three Veterinary & Health Camps for villagers and cattle, (iv.) Two Nature Camps for College students, Teachers and Researchers and (v.) Celebration of Gibbon Conservation Day. Observation of the Gibbon Conservation Day was the most important event of the awareness program. It was celebrated on 30th August 2004. Originally the Day was to be celebrated on 30th July 2004, the date on which Gibbon wildlife Sanctuary was officially declared. However the program has to be postponed due to the devastating flood all over the state and finally the GIBBON CONSERVATION DAY was observed on 30th August 2004. The main objective behind the celebration of this day was to sensitise the local people with concept of conservation of Hoolock gibbon and its habitats. Gibbon Conservation Day celebration was the first of its kind in India for the cause of Hoolock gibbon conservation. Another major achievement of this project is the inauguration of the Gibbon Conservation Centre. The Forest Department has allotted a building of 86 sq. m area for developing a permanent set up for carrying out conservation and research-based work in Gibbon wildlife sanctuary in future. The building has unanimously been named as GIBBON CONSERVATION CENTRE. Stickers of Hoolock Gibbon with message " Save Forest Save Gibbon"; Poster of Hoolock Gibbon, Bilingual leaflet with description of Hoolock gibbon in English and Assamese; T-shirts of Hoolock Gibbon and Small Assamese Book on Hoolock Gibbon entitled " Halau" were specially prepared and distributed among the participants and various educational and other institutions. Finally based on the socio-economic survey report, a socio-economic development program was undertaken in the six fringe villages namely Madhupur, Gobinpur, Bhogpur, Tunimukh, Lakhipur and Kaliagaon.of Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Training on Apiculture and Mushroom Cultivation were organized for the villagers as a part of the socio-economic development program. The beneficiaries include Improvised Chullah ( 300), Handloom set (35), Bee Keeping Box ( 30), Biogas plant (4) and Ducks ( 600). The program has been successful in making Hoolock Gibbon familiar to the
common people. For further information please contact : Dilip Chetry |
Hoolock Gibbon (Bunopithecus hoolock hoolock) is the only species of ape
to be found in India . The evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the
seven states of Northeastern region are natural habitats of this endangered
species in India. Being a true arboreal species, Hoolock gibbon depends on
high canopy for its survival. A number of threats like habitat destruction;
habitat fragmentation and alteration, hunting etc. have been identified for
the species all along its distribution range in India, the primary being
the loss of natural habitat. |
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© Aaranyak 2005, Email: aaranyak@vsnl.net |