GOLDEN
LANGURS - ENVIRONMENT
News:
India’s golden langur
population estimated at 7,396
What's
in the news?
●
According to the comprehensive population
estimation by the Primate Research Centre NE India (PRCNE), Assam Forest
Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and
Natural History (SACON) and Conservation Himalayas there are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in India.
Key
takeaways:
●
The entire distribution range of the
golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) covers the Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western
part of Assam.
Golden Langurs:
●
It can be most easily recognized by the colour
of their fur, after which they are
named.
●
It has been noted that their fur changes colours
according to the seasons.
●
The colour of the young also differs from
adults in that they are almost pure white.
Geographic
Range:
●
It is limited
to Assam in India and neighbouring Bhutan where they live year-round.
●
The area they inhabit is restricted to the
region surrounded by four geographical landmarks - the foothills of Bhutan
(north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river
(south).
Habitat:
●
They occupy moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some
riverine areas and savannas in Assam and Bhutan.
●
They are very much dependent on trees,
living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south and in more
temperate forests in the north.
●
They may be found at elevations close to
sea level in the south and up to 3000 m at the foothills of Bhutan in the
north.
Conservation
Status:
●
IUCN:
Endangered
●
CITES:
Appendix I
●
WPA,
1972: Schedule I