This was revealed in the ‘Hoolock Gibbon Population and Habitat Estimation’ report prepared by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRC), Guwahati. The report was formally laid at a function organized at Diphu by PRC in collaboration with the Forest Department, Karbi Anglong on Wednesday.
A draft ‘Conservation Action Plan of Hoolock Gibbon in Karbi Anglong’ was released at the function. On the occasion, PRC with support from US Fish and Wildlife Services provided an all-terrain Tata Xenon vehicle to the Forest Department in an attempt to improve the capacity of the North Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary.
The sanctuary – situated just opposite to the world famous Kaziranga National Park – has habitat contiguity with Kaziranga, and is crucial to the wellbeing of Kaziranga’s famed wildlife. Wild animals from the Park including elephants, rhinos, buffaloes, deer, etc., use to take refuge in the highlands of the sanctuary in large numbers during the annual floods.
Dr Jihosuo Biswas, coordinator, Primate Research Centre NE India, gave an account of the conservation scope and challenges with special reference to hoolock gibbon and tiger conservation in Karbi Anglong. He emphasized on the need of establishing a separate wildlife wing of Karbi Anglong Forest Department to look after the management issue of the wildlife.
In his speech, Dr Abhijit Rabha, Additional PPCF, Karbi Anglong, thanked the PRC for its effort and said that it would give a boost to the morale of the frontline forest staff. He also lauded the organization and the supporting agency for extending their assistance.
Singnar, Executive Member (EM), Forest, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, stressed the need for concerted efforts from every quarter to protect forest and wildlife in Karbi Anglong, as the Forest Department alone was not in a position to do the job. He emphasized on having a separate wildlife division and manpower for proper management.
The vehicle was provided to the Haldibari Beat which is proposed for the separate wildlife range of North Karbi Anglong Wildlife Sanctuary to enhance mobility for protection.
The flag-off ceremony for the presentation of the all-terrain vehicle was attended, among others, by senior forest officials of KAAC including Jaysing Bey, DFO, East Karbi Anglong Division; Jaganath Rongpi, DFO, Karbi Anglong West Division; and RS Ingti, DFO, Silviculture Division.
Source: Assam Tribune
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