Current Context : Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) to build canopy bridges across track  in Assam Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

Purpose: To facilitate the movement of Hoolock gibbons across a railway track that divides their prime habitat in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.

ABOUT SANCTUARY

• It is an isolated protected area of evergreen forest located in Jorhat district of Assam, India.
• Established in 1997.
• It contains India’s only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons and Northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate the Bengal slow loris.
• Upper canopy of the forest is dominated by the Hollong tree.
• Lower canopy consists of evergreen shrubs and herbs.

ABOUT HOOLOCK GIBBONS

• Gibbons are the smallest and fastest of all apes.
• Hoolock gibbons are known for their intelligence, distinct personalities, and strong family bonds.
• They inhabit tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia.
• They are found in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southern China.
• IUCN Status:
  • Western Hoolock Gibbon: Endangered
  • Eastern Hoolock Gibbon: Vulnerable