Protecting India's Only Ape: Canopy Bridges to Safeguard Hoolock Gibbons in Assam

Railway Track Threatens Gibbon Habitat:

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is taking a significant step to protect India's only ape, the Hoolock gibbon, by constructing canopy bridges across a railway track that divides its habitat in Assam's Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.

About hoolock gibbons: The hoolock gibbons are 3 primate species of genus Hoolock in the gibbon family, Hylobatidae, native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India, Myanmar, and Southwest China. Scientific name: Hoolock Class: Mammalia Family: Hylobatidae Domain: Eukaryota Genus: Hoolock; Mootnick & Groves, 2005 Kingdom: Animalia Western hoolock : Endangered in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist Eastern hoolock: Vulnerable in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Redlist In India, both species are listed on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.

Hoolock Gibbon Sanctuary Divided:

1. The sanctuary, home to the largest concentration of Hoolock gibbons globally, is currently split by a 1.65-km railway track slated for expansion and electrification.
2. This fragmentation poses a threat to the arboreal apes, hindering their movement and increasing the risk of accidents while crossing the track.

Canopy Bridges: A Lifeline for Gibbons

1. To mitigate this risk, the NFR, in collaboration with the Assam State Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), will install specially designed canopy bridges at strategic points within the sanctuary.
2. These bridges aim to provide safe passage for the gibbons between the two halves of their habitat, separated by the Mariani-Dibrugarh railway line.

Bridge Design and Safety Measures:

1. The canopy bridges, designed by the WII in consultation with the NFR, will be constructed using high-grade materials and techniques, ensuring the safety and security of the gibbons.
2. Safety nets will be installed beneath the bridges as a precautionary measure.
3. Additionally, vines and creepers will be encouraged to grow along the bridges to create a natural landscape and encourage gibbon birds to use them.

Past Efforts and Lessons Learned:

1. Previous attempts to construct an artificial canopy bridge proved unsuccessful as the gibbons did not utilise it.
2. However, a natural canopy bridge built by the State Forest Department and Aaranyak was successfully used by the apes.
3. This experience has informed the design and placement of the new canopy bridges, increasing the likelihood of their adoption by the gibbons.

A Commitment to Conservation:

The construction of canopy bridges reflects NFR's commitment towards environmental conservation and highlights the importance of balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation. This initiative is important to ensure the survival and well-being of the endangered Hoolock Gibbon population in Assam.

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