Primate Research and Conservation Initiative

Some of the salient projects undertaken in the field of primate research and conservation are -

2005: Primate Survey in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, India and its Conservation Perspectives.

 The detail study was carried in Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, to know the diversity and status of primate in the area and to formulate long term conservation and management plan   for the primates. This study was sponsored by Rufford Maurice Laing Foundation.

2006-07: Hoolock gibbon Conservation in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India, (Sponsored by US Fish and Wildlife Service (GACF)

The present project was launched for better and long term conservation of this endangered species of ape and six other species of primates as well as the bio-diversity of the sanctuary as a whole.

Socio-economic development:

A socio-economic survey that was carried out in 6 fringe villages of the sanctuary and poorer family had been identified.  Different schemes like Handlooms, Chulas (Stove), Bee Boxes, and Biogas were distributed.

Honey bee keeping Training and Mushroom cultivation training were organised in the fringe villages to train the villagers for alternative income generation skills.

Interaction-cum-awareness programmge:

One of the major objectives of the current project is to interact with the local communities and make them aware about the global and local importance of the Hoolock gibbon and as well as to sensitize them with the value and ethics of conservation of wildlife and bio-diversity. In this connection leaflets containing descriptions of Hoolock Gibbon were published in both Assamese and English languages. These leaflets have been already distributed among the villagers. The villagers were also motivated to stop grazing their cattle inside the sanctuary.

Wildlife Conservation Training:

40 the participants mainly from university and colleges were provided with both theoretical and practical knowledge of Hoolock gibbon conservation in particular and other wildlife in general. To fulfil the aim and objectives of the camp experts from diverse but specialized fields were invited. Each participant was provided with Book, poster, and leaflet. Field visit was mandatory for the participants and expert fieldworkers guided these visits. After the completion of the training, participants were awarded with certificates. 

Gibbon conservation day:

Observation of the Gibbon Conservation Day was the most important event of the awareness program. The day was celebrated on 30th August 2006. In the general meeting there was large crowd of 1000 people. The audience covered all sections of people. 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.

Socioecology of Golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) in Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam, India.

A study on the Critically Endangered Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei) was carried out in the Chakrashila Wildlife sanctuary, Assam to understand the Socioecology of Golden langur and to formulate the conservation and management Action plan for Golden Langur. The Primate Conservation Inc. supported the study.

Primate Survey in Pakhui National Park and Conservation Perspective, in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, India

The main objective of the study is to generate baseline information on diversity and status of the primate community in the Pakke (Pakhui) Wildlife Sanctuary. The survey was started in the month of March 2003 till June 2003 and four primates species were encountered including one that could not be identified. Detail and long-term study is planned to identify the unidentified Macaque species or subspecies with support from suitable and interested funding agencies. The CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL supported this program.

Primate Survey in Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh.

The primates of the Namdapha National Park, Arunchal Pradesh has never been studied systematically. This study in 2002 identified 7 species of primates and also another species of Macaque, whose identity could not be confirmed. The macaque may be a subspecies of a new species. Further long term study will be initiated during 2003-05 with anticipated support from suitable funding agencies. The American Society of Primatology supported this study.

The primate research programs during 2002-03 were carried out in collaboration with Primate Research Centre, Assam and Animal Ecology & Wildlife biology Lab. Department of Zoology, Gauhati University.