Assam: Primate Watch at Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary raises awareness about primates

GUWAHATI- Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, in collaboration with the Jorhat Forest Division of Assam Forest Department, organised a unique initiative called ‘Primate Watch’ at the primate-abode Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Jorhat District of Assam.

The event packed with outdoor activities was organised on March 16 as part of the International Macaque Day observation, a day dedicated to the outreach of conservation of Macaques.

A total of twenty participants, including students, nature enthusiasts and professionals from various parts of Assam, attended the event.

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The event commenced with a welcome address by Nandita Medhi, a senior consultant at the Primate Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak.

This was followed by an introduction to primates of Assam, with a special focus on macaques, presented by Dr Dilip Chetry, a renowned primatologist and Head of Primate Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak.

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Akshay Upadhyaya, a researcher at the Primate Research and Conservation Division served as the field guide and resource person during the field observations.

Participants successfully observed three primate species — Hoolock Gibbon, Pig-tailed Macaque, and Rhesus Macaque during the two-hour Primate Watch conducted within the sanctuary.

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Following the field observation, an interactive session allowed participants to share their experiences. The attendees expressed enthusiasm and appreciation for the initiative and requested more such programmes in the future.

Nandha Kumar, IFS, Divisional Forest Officer of Jorhat Forest Division joined the session and encouraged participants to stay engaged in similar activities. Dr Dilip Chetry extended sincere gratitude to the Secretary General and CEO of Aaranyak Dr Bibhab Kumar Talukdar for extensive support and thanked the Jorhat Forest Division for their invaluable assistance in making the programme a success. He also expressed appreciation to the participants for their enthusiastic involvement.

At the end of the event, all participants were awarded with certificates marking the successful conclusion of the Primate Watch event.