Guwahati, 31st May: In a bid to protect wildlife, particularly the rare and endangered Hollock Gibbons, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NF Railway) is implementing measures to ensure the safe passage of these species across railway tracks that bisect their habitats. This initiative is part of the Indian Railways’ broader policy to safeguard wildlife in areas where railway lines intersect forest regions or sanctuaries.
The railway line passing through the Gibbon Sanctuary in Jorhat district, Assam, is home to the highly arboreal Hollock Gibbon. To facilitate their movement across the tracks, NF Railway, in collaboration with the Assam State Forest Department, the Wildlife Institute of India, and other stakeholders, has decided to install Canopy Bridges at strategic points within the sanctuary.
These Canopy Bridges will enable the gibbons to traverse the railway tracks safely. The Assam State Forest Department has already submitted the design and cost estimates for these installations, which were prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India in consultation with NF Railway. The railway authority has deposited the required funds in February 2024 for the project’s execution by the Assam Forest Department.
The Canopy Bridges will be secured with high-grade fastening materials and safety nets will be installed below the bridges to catch any animals that might fall. Over time, natural elements like lianas and creepers will integrate with the rope bridges, creating a semi-natural structure to further support the arboreal species.
NF Railway, in conjunction with the respective state forest departments, is committed to taking necessary steps at all critical locations to protect these endangered species from extinction, ensuring that railway operations and wildlife conservation coexist harmoniously.