NFR TO BUILD CANOPY BRIDGES FOR GIBBONS IN ASSAM SANCTUARY

Why in the news?

  • Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) is funding canopy bridges in Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary.
  • The bridges will aid Hoolock gibbons in crossing a 1.65-km railway track that divides the sanctuary.
source:medium

About Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR):

  • NFR, one of 19 Indian Railways zones.
  • Headquartered: Maligaon, Guwahati.
  • Operates across Northeastern states, eastern Bihar, and northern West Bengal.
  • Divided into 5 divisions: Katihar, Alipurduar, Lumding, Rangiya, Tinsukia.
  • Departments: engineering, mechanical, electrical, telecom, operations, commercial, safety, accounts, security, personal, and medical.
About Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary:

  • Located in Assam’s Jorhat district, established in 1997.
  • Home to India’s only gibbons, the western Hoolock hoolock.
  • Hosts Bengal slow loris, the region’s only nocturnal primate.

Key Facts about Hoolock Gibbons:

  • Hoolock Gibbons are the smallest and fastest apes, inhabiting Southeast Asia’s tropical forests.
  • India’s only ape species, with strong family bonds.
  • Western Hoolock: Endangered, found in northeast India.
  • Eastern Hoolock: Vulnerable, in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Distinct white eyebrows, long arms, vocal throat sac.
  • Exclusively arboreal, living in treetops.