PTI
BILBARI (INDO-BANGLA BORDER), APRIL 24
[dropcap]I[/dropcap]ndia and Bangladesh have decided to take concerted conservation efforts to protect the rare Spectacled Langur along with other primates found in Patharia Hills Reserve Forest on either side of the fenced border along Assam’s Karimganj district.
A decision to this effect was taken at the last meeting of Deputy Commissioners of Karimganj and Cachar districts along with their counterparts from Sylhet and Moulvibazaar districts of Bangladesh, Karimganj Deputy Commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah told PTI.The reserve forest, home to the endangered Spectacled Langur, Hoolock Gibbon and Golden Langur, is spread across both the countries with the border fencing passing through it and loss of habitat posing a major threat to the wildlife present in the forest, he pointed out.
Spectacled Monkeys have been sighted here in large number, though a proper survey is yet to be conducted while several colonies of the Hoolock Gibbon and some Golden Langur have also been sighted within the forest.
“The primary focus of the conservation effort will be to preserve the habitat for the survival of the primates and awareness campaigns would be conducted in the fringe villages to urge people not to destroy the forests for firewood,” he said.
The BSF personnel, guarding the Indo-Bangla border along this sector, have also been urged to ensure that the forest is preserved so that it remains a safe haven for the primates, Gohain Boruah added.
The Patheria Hills reserve Forest, spread over an area of 7647.30 hectares on the Indian side, is predominantly a natural forest on the western border of Karimganj and consists of two blocks Patheria ‘A’ and ‘B’.
“The forest is dotted with several ‘cherras’ or springs which helps to drain out the stock water quickly and along with the alluvial soil present leads to quick growth and natural regeneration of the forests,” Divisional Forest Officer S Ahmed said.
