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Source: The post is based on the article “Reroute rail track through gibbon sanctuary” published in The Hindu on 31st August 2023
What is the News?
Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has proposed a solution to address the problems caused due to the route of the 1.65-km long railway track in eastern Assam.
This railway track has divided a Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary into two unequal parts.Due to this, hoolock gibbons are facing habitat fragmentation as the track separated gibbon populations on either side.
Hence, that’s why scientists at WII have suggested constructing an artificial canopy bridge to enable the gibbons to move across the railway line.This would help them maintain their genetic diversity.
What is Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary?
The Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary formerly known as the Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary or Hollongapar Reserved Forest is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in Assam.
The sanctuary was officially constituted and renamed in 1997.
The sanctuary contains India’s only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons and North-eastern India’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.
What are Hoolock Gibbons?