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News18
5 days ago
- General
- News18
Indias only ape Western Hoolock Gibbon under threat: Primatologist
Guwahati, Aug 6 (PTI) The endangered Western Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape of India, are under threat with cases of local extinction already observed in fragmented forest patches in the northeast region, a primatologist said here on Wednesday. Habitat loss due to encroachment, unregulated resource extraction, infrastructure development, tea plantations, shifting cultivation, hunting, and wildlife trafficking are threats to these primates, he said. "There has been a steady decline in the population of Western Hoolock Gibbons with cases of local extinction observed in fragmented forest patches of the northeastern region in India," primatologist Dilip Chetry said after returning from Antananarivo in Madagascar, where the 30th Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS) was held recently. He urged the central government to initiate a national-level Project Gibbon, modelled on Project Tiger or Project Elephant, to ensure the long-term survival of India's only ape. He pointed out that the Western Hoolock Gibbon is one of the 20 gibbon species found in Asia, and its distribution spans eastern Bangladesh, northeastern India, and parts of Myanmar. The population of the ape in India is restricted to the southern bank of the Brahmaputra river and east of the Dibang river across seven states in the northeast region. The primatologist, who is also the vice chair of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group – South Asia, called for urgent conservation actions, including the restoration of degraded habitats, creation of ecological corridors, scientific research, capacity building for forest staff, and community engagement. He also stressed the need to promote the Western Hoolock Gibbon as a flagship species to generate broader public and policy support for biodiversity conservation in the region. Chetry urged the Centre to develop a dedicated 'Gibbon Conservation Action Plan' for each state in northeast India, leading towards a national action plan with dedicated budgetary support. The Congress of the International Primatological Society, held from 20–25 July, brought together 657 registered delegates from 53 countries to evaluate the world's 25 most endangered primates for 2025–2027. The Congress declared 25 most endangered primates of the world, which include six from Asia- Banka Slow Loris, Sangihe Tarsier, Pig-tailed Langur, Myanmar Snub-nosed Monkey, Tapanuli Orangutan and Western Hoolock Gibbon, Chetry said. PTI DG BDC view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
03-08-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Dedicated gibbon conservation action plan sought in NE
GUWAHATI A leading Assam-based primatologist has sought a dedicated gibbon conservation action plan modelled on Project Tiger or Project Elephant to ensure the long-term survival of the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock), India's only ape species. Addressing the 30th Congress of the International Primatological Society (IPS) at Antananarivo in Madagascar from July 20-25, India representative Dilip Chetry underscored the urgency of a national-level Project Gibbon given the grave threats the ape faces from habitat loss. One of 20 gibbon species found in Asia and currently listed as endangered on the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the hoolock gibbon is distributed across eastern Bangladesh, parts of Myanmar, and India's northeastern region. The primate's populations in India are restricted to the southern bank of the Brahmaputra River and east of the Dibang River across seven northeastern States – Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. 'The hoolock gibbon faces habitat loss due to encroachment, unregulated resource extraction, infrastructure development, tea plantations, shifting cultivation, fragmentation, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade. Cases of local extinction have already been observed in fragmented forest patches of the northeast, reflecting a steady population decline,' said Dr Chetry, who serves as the vice chair of the Primate Specialist Group–South Asia under the IUCN's Species Survival Commission (SSC). He advocated for urgent conservation actions, including the restoration of degraded habitats, creation of ecological corridors, scientific research, capacity building for forest staff, and community engagement. He also stressed the need to promote the western hoolock gibbon as a flagship species to generate broader public and policy support for biodiversity conservation in the region. The IPS convention brought together 657 delegates from 53 countries to evaluate the world's 25 most endangered primates for 2025-27. Its special session was chaired by Russell A. Mittermeier, a conservationist and chair of the IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group. Dr. Chetry, also the director and head of the Primate Research and Conservation Division of Aaranyak, a biodiversity conservation organisation, said the western hoolock gibbon is among the six of the world's 25 most endangered primates from Asia. The other five are the Banka slow loris (Nycticebus bancanus), Sangihe tarsier (Tarsius sangirensis), pig-tailed langur (Simias concolor), Myanmar snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus strykeri), and the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis).
NDTV
07-07-2025
- NDTV
Class 9 Student Dies By Suicide In Assam, Note Alleges Sex Abuse By Teacher
Guwahati: A girl student in Assam's Tinsukia district, who attempted suicide in June due to alleged sex assault repeatedly by her teacher, died by suicide on July 6, the police said. The police found a four-page note detailing what she had gone through. In the note, which NDTV has seen, she alleged three other teachers tried to shield the accused. The case has sparked anger and outrage across Assam. The 14-year-old student who was in Class 9 was allegedly molested by her teacher, Vhiku Chetry, for the first time in May, according to a first information report (FIR) filed by her family following the first attempt to die by suicide in June. On May 26, Chetry allegedly mixed sleeping tablets in a soft drink and offered it to the student in the school kitchen after class. Other students had left by then, sources said. The girl tried to die by suicide on June 3. She was taken to a hospital, where doctors managed to stabilise her health and save her. The girl's family then filed the FIR with Dholla police station under the stringent POCSO Act, which deals with sex crimes against children. The teacher, Chetry, was arrested on June 11. However, the girl died by suicide in a second attempt on July 6. Her brother filed another FIR on Sunday against the teacher for abetment to suicide. Many social organisations have demanded exemplary punishment against the teacher.
Time of India
08-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Bengal slow loris rescued in Tinsukia
Dibrugarh: A Bengal slow loris (Nycticebus bengalensis), an endangered primate species, was rescued from a village in Tinsukia district on Sunday. The animal, locally known as "lajuki bandar", was found in the backyard orchard of one Kishore Chetry in Samukjan village, located in the Ledo area. The nocturnal primate, known for its slow and shy movements, was spotted early in the morning by Chetry, who immediately alerted the forest department. Officials arrived promptly and took custody of the animal, ensuring its safe transfer for a veterinary health check-up before releasing it back into its natural habitat.
Indian Express
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Who is Binita Chetry? All about the 9-year-old Britain's Got Talent finalist from Assam
Binita Chetry has created history by becoming the first-ever contestant from Northeast India to reach the finals of Britain's Got Talent (BGT) 2025. Her phenomenal dance performance during the semi-finals of the talent show competition captivated audiences, and earned her the highest number of public votes, securing her a place in the grand finale on May 31. 'I'm feeling very thankful. I've worked very hard for the semi-final, and I'm going to do my best for the finals,' Chetry, who is from Assam, was quoted as saying by a digital platform, following her performance. Sharing a series of photos from her semi-finale performance on Instagram, the nine-year-old wrote, 'Finally my dream comes true. I'm in the final I'm so much happy. Greatful for every moment. Without your support and guidance @ I can't do this.' A post shared by Amrita Binita Chetry (@amrita_binita_chetry) Chetry travelled to the UK with her father to chase her dream of performing on the international stage. Earlier, a video went viral where she spoke candidly about her hopes, sharing her heartwarming wish to 'win and buy a pink princess house.' Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma shared the video of Chetry's performance on the show on X, and hailed her journey. 'From Assam to UK: Assam's talent shines at Britain's Got Talent. Little Binita Chhetry makes the judges of @BGT go all 'Awww' as she presents a powerful performance and moves to the next round. My best wishes to the little one and hope she is able to buy a pink princess house,' Sarma wrote in the post shared on March 2. Watch here: From Assam to UK: Assam's talent shines at Britain's Got Talent Little Binita Chhetry makes the judges of @BGT go all 'Awww' as she presents a powerful performance and moves to the next round. My best wishes to the little one and hope she is able to buy a pink princess house… — Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 2, 2025 Chetry will now compete against nine other finalists: magician Harry Moulding, singer Joseph Charm, vocal group Hear Our Voice, drag performer Jasmine Rice, comedy act Ping Pong Pang, dancer Ollie Pearson, illusionist Stacey Leadbeatter, shadow troupe Blackouts, and mentalist Vinny McKee.
