Intensive conservation workshop on Hoolock gibbon held

Guwahati: A two-day workshop on conservation of endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) was successfully conducted from July 10 and 11 at the headquarter of Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve, Miao, Arunachal Pradesh. Biodiversity conservation organisation Aaranyak organised the workshop in collaboration with the Namdapha National Park authorities, with support from the Arcus Foundation and the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group’s Section on Small Apes (SSA). The Western Hoolock Gibbon, found only in the northeastern states of India south of the Dibang-Brahmaputra River system, is facing serious threats due to habitat fragmentation, hunting, and a widespread lack of awareness, particularly in Tripura and parts of Arunachal Pradesh. In light of these challenges, the workshop aimed to raise awareness, build capacity among forest staff, and initiate the formulation of a Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Action Plan for the Kamlang–Namdapha landscape. The event was inaugurated by Arup Kumar Deka, IFS, Director of Namdapha National Park & Tiger Reserve, who served as the Chief Guest. Mr Deka emphasised the significance of the workshop and urged participants to use the platform to exchange knowledge and collaboratively plan for the species’ future. The Guest of Honour, Jumdo Geyi, DCF and Divisional Forest Officer of Kamlang Tiger Reserve, shared personal insights about the disappearance of the gibbon from his native area. He called on local communities to actively participate in the conservation of the Hoolock Gibbon, which is also the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh. Dr Dilip Chetry, Director and Head of the Primate Research & Conservation Division at Aaranyak, welcomed all participants and highlighted the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts. He also emphasised that the Hoolock Gibbon could serve as a flagship species for protecting biodiversity in the region and called for support from all sectors to ensure its survival. The workshop brought together forest officials from Namdapha and Kamlang Tiger Reserves, local community members from fringe villages like Maithingpun, Khachang, and Miao, as well as primatologists and experts from Bodoland University, Gauhati University, University of Science & Technology Meghalaya, and Aaranyak. Prof Hilloljyoti Singh, Head of Zoology at Bodoland University, shared his experiences of gibbon sightings across the Northeast and expressed hope that the workshop would generate valuable local insights. He urged participants to contribute towards creating a robust conservation blueprint for the region. Prof. Singha also co-ordinated the workshop in formulation of an action plan. A total of 80 participants attended the workshop. Key resource persons included Dr H.J. Singha (Bodoland University), Dr Prabal Sarkar of University of Science and Technology, Meghalay, Mridy Paban Phukan from Wildlife Conservation & Study Centre, Arup Kumar Das (GIS& remote sensing specialist), Simanta Medhi, Akshay Kumar Upadhyaya, and Dr Dilip Chetry from Aaranyak. This landmark workshop marked the first focused attempt in Arunachal Pradesh to integrate forest staff, scientific experts, and local communities for the long-term conservation of the Western Hoolock Gibbon in the Kamlang–Namdapha landscape.