Hollongapar Gibbon wildlife sanctuary

Current Context : The Assam Forest and Environment department allows to Cairn Oil and Gas’s proposal for oil and gas exploration in the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Gibbon wildlife sanctuary is a home to the endangered Hoolock Gibbon and wild elephants.

ABOUT HOLLONGAPAR GIBBON WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location: Jorhat district of Assam
• Established in 1997
• Area : approximately 21.98 square kilometers.
• Flora: Dense tropical rainforests, and the vegetation includes various species of trees, shrubs, and herbs.
• Fauna: The Hollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary is known for its rich biodiversity. It include:
  • Gibbons: The sanctuary is named after the Hoolock Gibbon, which is the only ape species found in India.
  • Other Mammals: including the endangered Indian Elephant, the Assamese Macaque, and several species of deer.

ABOUT HOOLOCK GIBBONS

• The Hoolock Gibbons belong to the genus Hoolock.
• They have high intelligence, distinct personalities, and strong family bonds similar to other apes.
• They represent one of the 20 gibbon species found worldwide.
• Hoolock Gibbons are India’s only ape species.
• There are two recognized species:
• Western Hoolock Gibbon(Hoolock hoolock): Found in the northeastern parts of India and Bangladesh.
  • IUCN status : Endangered
• Eastern Hoolock Gibbon(Hoolock leuconedys): Found in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in India, China (Yunnan), and Myanmar.
• IUCN status : Vulnerable