- Assam joined the global celebration of International Gibbon Day (25 October 2025) to raise awareness for the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), India’s only ape.
- Aaranyak, a conservation NGO, led awareness drives highlighting threats from deforestation and infrastructure projects, and the role of community-led conservation in Kakoijana and Hoollongapar.
About International Gibbon Day
- Observed on: Fourth Friday of October every year (2025 – October 25)
- Established by: Gibbon Conservation Alliance (GCA) in 2015, Switzerland
- Objective: Raise global awareness for gibbon conservation, promote habitat protection and community participation
- 2025 Theme: “Voices of the Forest: Saving the Singing Apes”
About Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)
Attribute | Details |
| Common Name | Western Hoolock Gibbon / “Singing Ape” |
| Scientific Name | Hoolock hoolock |
| Family | Hylobatidae |
| Distribution | Northeast India (Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland, Tripura), Bangladesh, Myanmar |
| Conservation Status | IUCN: Endangered, CITES: Appendix I, WPA 1972: Schedule I |
| Habitat | Evergreen & semi-evergreen forests with continuous canopy |
| Behaviour | Arboreal, monogamous, territorial, known for loud “duet songs” |
| Ecological Role | Seed dispersers & canopy health indicators |
| Threats | Habitat loss, fragmentation, linear projects (roads, rails, power lines), hunting |
Key Habitats in Assam
Protected Area | District | Significance |
| Hoollongapar Gibbon WLS | Jorhat | India’s only sanctuary dedicated to gibbons; core population of Hoolock hoolock |
| Dehing Patkai WLS | Dibrugarh & Tinsukia | Semi-evergreen forest; threatened by mining and logging |
| Dibru-Saikhowa NP | Tinsukia | Riverine island ecosystem; home to multiple primate species |
| Kakoijana RF | Bongaigaon | Community-led conservation model protecting small gibbon groups |
| Nameri NP | Sonitpur | Buffer population within Brahmaputra–Arunachal corridor |
UPSC-Style Statement-based MCQ
With reference to the Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), consider the following statements:
- It is the only ape species found in India and is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.
- The Hoollongapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam is India’s only protected area dedicated exclusively to the conservation of gibbons.
- The species primarily inhabits deciduous forests of Central India.
- Kakoijana Reserve Forest in Assam is known for successful community-led conservation of this species.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1, 2 and 4 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: A
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