Ecology of Western Hoolock Gibbon in an Indo-Burma Hot Spot Region

Hoolock Gibbon in an Indo-Burma hot spot region is facing numerous threats. Threats include habitat loss due to human encroachment, developmental projects and tea garden expansion. In Assam and Mizoram Hoolock Gibbons are now found in unfamiliar areas, such as private lands in fringe areas. Hoolock Gibbons are obligate brachiators who depend on the thick forest canopy for optimum niche exploitation. Habitat loss, in the form of fragmentation , has restricted and isolated their populations to smaller patches within the forests. No information is available on the status of Hoolock gibbon from these areas and because of that the issues related to Hoolock Gibbon conservation is completely untouched. Thus, there is great need to adopt proper planning and enforcement of various conservation strategies and tactics which are essential for the Gibbons to thrive in a better environment. Most local people are unaware about the legal status of Hoolock Gibbon is a big conservation problem. To fill the knowledge gap about the species, present study aims to investigate the present distribution and population status of Western Hoolock Gibbons in Longai, Inner-Line and Kanghmun Village Reserve.