Guwahati: A survey conducted by reputed organizations found that the total population of Golden Langurs stands at 7,396 who cohabit in 707 groups, a news report published in the Hindu said quoting the findings of the survey.
The survey was a joint effort led by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON), and Conservation Himalayas.
The survey of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) has unveiled vital insights into the population dynamics of this endangered primate.
The survey, conducted in two phases, covered the entire distribution range of the golden langur, primarily spanning the Manas Biosphere Reserve and fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.
During the first phase, which took place in March-April 2020, the survey focused on the western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, including significant areas such as Ripu Reserved Forest, now part of the Raimona National Park, Chirang Reserve Forest, Manas Reserve Forest, and Manas National Park. The second phase carried out during the same months in 2021, targeted fragmented forest habitats in the Bongaigaon, Kokrajhar, and Dhubri districts of western Assam.
Utilizing the block count method for the first time, the survey aimed to assess the abundance, spatial distribution, and densities of golden langur populations. This method praised for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and robustness for small group-living primates like the golden langur, was spearheaded by H.N. Kumara, the principal scientist of SACON.
A total of 7,720 golden langurs were observed in 706 unique groups and 31 lone males or floating males during the survey. After estimating the minimum population size, the survey revealed a population of 7,396 individuals in 707 groups, inclusive of bisexual and male bands, along with 31 lone males. Jihosuo Biswas, the lead primatologist at PRCNE, supervised the survey.
The population of golden langurs is divided into two major sub-populations: the northern extended population and the southern fragmented population. The northern population, encompassing the western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, was estimated at 5,566 individuals, while the southern fragmented population, occurring along the southern side of NH27 up to the Brahmaputra River, was estimated at 1,830 langurs.
Highlighting the unstable situation in the fragmented habitats of golden langurs, the survey underscored the need for corridor linkage among these habitats through plantations and canopy bridges to mitigate potential threats posed by anthropogenic interactions. The survey also noted a decline in the average group size compared to the previous estimation conducted in 2008-09, signaling challenges faced by these primates in their natural habitat.
As efforts continue to protect and conserve the golden langur population, stakeholders emphasize the importance of collaborative conservation strategies to ensure the survival of this endangered species in the wild.
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