Jorhat, Assam: A looming threat hangs over the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary as the electrification of a 1.65-kilometer railway track slices through its heart. Environmentalists are sounding the alarm over the potential electrocution risks posed by the high-voltage overhead power lines to the sanctuary’s diverse wildlife, particularly its iconic hoolock gibbons.
Recent footage capturing Capped langurs perilously close to the live wires has heightened concerns. The sanctuary, home to over 100 hoolock gibbons, Assamese macaques, Bengal slow lorises, and other primates, could face a grave ecological crisis if urgent measures aren’t taken.
Wildlife experts emphasize the need for immediate safety measures, such as rerouting the track outside the sanctuary or implementing robust animal-safe passage systems. The National Board for Wild Life (NBWL) has conditionally approved the project, imposing strict guidelines to mitigate the impact on wildlife.
However, conservationists remain wary, fearing that the project could still compromise the sanctuary’s delicate ecosystem. They urge strict adherence to the NBWL’s conditions and continuous monitoring to ensure the safety of its unique inhabitants.
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