Shillong, Jan. 6: After Assam, it is Meghalaya’s turn to join the elite group of primate conservation region in the world. A Indo-US joint project on primates for conserving the endangered hoolock gibbons of Meghalaya will be launched this year. Initiated under the great ape conservation fund, the project is likely to be launched in and around the Nongkhyllem wildlife sanctuary in Ri Bhoi district and parts of Garo Hills.
A team from the Wildlife Institute of India and the US fish and wildlife service division recently surveyed the project area. Chief conservator of forests (wildlife) Sunil Kumar told The Telegraph that the wildlife institute and the US fish and wildlife service division have shown great interest in bringing Meghalaya under the ape conservation initiative.
“The team felt that the earlier proposal must be revised as the area offers an excellent habitat for the gibbons,” Kumar said.
What the researchers find most interesting is the fact that most of the rare and endangered gibbon groups are located around the Nongkhyllem sanctuary where the climate is tropical and but where it can be extremely cold during winters.
“This is an excellent opportunity for us to make the Nongkhyllem sanctuary a sought-after centre for environmentalists,” Kumar said.
According to him there are a total of 17 groups of hoolock gibbons in the state and most are found in Nongkhyllem, known for its bird diversity.
The state forest department recently clamped down on hunting in this area. Kumar said there are also plans to initiate a “save hoolock gibbon project” in the West and South Garo Hills, particularly in the Rongenggre reserve.
According to a publication of the wildlife institute, shifting cultivation and deforestation was a major threat to the gibbon population in the Garo Hills.
Foresters are confident that “this is a good beginning” and it would create a greater interest among the people whose lives depend on forests.
“It will generate jobs and also add to the state’s plans to boost eco-tourism,” said a local resident of Nongkhyllem.
The hoolock gibbons of Meghalaya have suddenly aroused a great interest among researchers from abroad. Animal scientists said the hoolock gibbons around the Nongkhyllem sanctuary have some “unique characteristics”.
“The project may help understand the animals’ habitat and their typical dependency on foliage requirement,” said a group of scientists from the North Eastern Hill University, studying primates.
Meghalaya was one of the few states in the region, which was identified by the wildlife institute as a “potential centre for conservation of the hoolock gibbons”.
Under the project, about $30,000-$35,000 is likely to be spent with logistic support from the state.