Context:
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.
Relevance:
GS III: Environment and Ecology
About Golden Langurs:
Physical Characteristics:
- Named for the golden color of their fur.
- Fur changes color with seasons.
- Young ones are almost pure white.
Geographic Range:
- Limited to Assam, India, and neighboring Bhutan.
- Inhabits the region surrounded by the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river (south).
Habitat:
- Occupies moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests.
- Found in riverine areas and savannas in Assam and Bhutan.
- Primarily tree-dwelling, living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south and more temperate forests in the north.
- Can 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
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
-Source: The Hindu.
