MARIANI, May 15 – The first-ever survey of gibbon with an object to enumerate their existing numbers, was conducted by the State Forest Department at the gibbon wildlife sanctuary here. The department which conducted the survey during the first week of April announced that seven rare species of primates are existent at the sanctuary.
It is worth mentioning that out of 15 rare species of primates available in the country, nine of them are found in the North East. Out of these, seven are found at the gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary. Detailing the survey report, the Department informed that the sanctuary possesses 63 hollock Gibbons in 17 families, 65 capped langurs in eight groups, 45 pig tailed macaque in two groups, 151 stump tailed macaque in three groups, 58 Assamese macaque in three groups and 116 Rhesus macaque in three groups.
The Department mentioned that the pig-tailed and Assamese macaque have been underestimated. It also added that the sanctuary possesses the slow Loris (lazuki bandor) as well but as it is nocturnal in nature, detailes of the species could not be estimated. Coin problem: Reluctance of shoppers and businessman to accept one rupee, fifty paise and twenty-five paise coins with no known reason whatsoever, has raised the eyebrows of the public here.
A baseless rumour is in circulation that the Government has put a ban on the flow of the coins whereas bank officials deny the fact and explains that excess of coins in stock has resulted in the problem. Eventually some customers are paying more on the goods due to the ‘change’ problem while others are availing alternative items like chocolates etc, instead of getting back the money.
A section of businessman is exploiting the situation to earn abnormal profits. Conscious people here opined that lack of awareness among the public is creating such problems. At a time when even 5 paise and 10 paise coins are been used in places (like Kolkata), it is strange that the public here has to encounter the coin problem for no fault of theirs. Even beggars here are unwilling to accept the coins.
Concern over polythene: Although elections are over yet the relics of campaign manoeuvrels are brimming in the streets and drains in form of flags and posters. The public here is concerned over the fact that these flags and posters are made of polythene. Already some of the garbage has flown into the drains and gradually blocking it while innumerous bits are still lying along the roadside. Besides, polythene bags are also among these garbages.
Even though there is a ban on the use of polythene yet its utilisation has not stopped before the elections the candidates put up/ hang these polythene flagcards quite enthusiastically yet their conscience never strikes to conceal the mess underground. More strict prohibition and awareness programme should be undertaken by authorities to stop the use of these undergradable products.