Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei threatened by habitat fragmentation

Abstract

The Golden Langur Trachypithecus geei is a rare colobine monkey with a very restricted range being confined to western Assam in India, and Bhutan only. At the time of discovery in early 1950s, it was believed that it is confined to the forests along India-Bhutan border only but in fact it was found all over the western Assam as is apparent from its present extent of occurrence. The Golden Langur is in real danger all over its range in India. Never before had it faced such dangers - from rapid loss of habitat, occasional poaching and unreported accidental deaths. Although the local tribes, mostly Bodos usually do not kill langurs but some new generation youths have taken up for its meat. Some langurs even started raiding crops due to loss of habitat. At least 19 fragmented areas now hold the species, which was originally a single habitat. Except for Manas, Ripu and to some extent Chirang, the remaining populations have no link the larger and more secure Bhutanese populations. Many of these fragmented have little possibility of longterm survival. There is an urgent need to put a halt to all encroachments and illegal felling. The remaining forest in Chirang, Ripu and parts of Manas Reserved Forests, and Bhairab Pahar-Nakkati should be brought under protected area network. Chakrashila Sanctuary should be extended to include the adjacent forest pockets such as Katrigacha, Nayekgaon, etc. Isolated langurs, e.g., in Sarpamari and Srigram Reserved Forest, which have no future, should be relocated in larger areas such as Chakrashila, Manas or Chirang. Since this is the only Golden Langur area in India, these steps should be taken on a priority basis.