The Bongaigaon district administration, which is on a mission to save golden langurs, has moved a proposal to upgrade Kakoijana reserve forest to a wildlife sanctuary.

Deputy commissioner Adil Khan told The Telegraph, “During a meeting with forest minister Parimal Suklabaidya and the principle chief conservator of forest, we proposed converting Kakoijana into a wildlife sanctuary. They agreed. We will conduct a census of the reserve’s fauna after monsoons and send a proposal to the government.

“The district administration, with support from the local tribal population and gram panchayat, is striving to protect and preserve the highly endangered species of golden langurs, which has survived only in this part of the world. About 500 golden langurs are left. But the population of golden langurs has been steadily increasing in Kakoijana, resulting in increase in human-animal conflict and decrease in food reserves. Golden langurs are often killed by dogs and run over by vehicles when they stray into human habitation in search of food. Our proposal is an effort to reduce road accidents and deaths of golden langurs. Caution notices have been erected at three spots near the reserve forest,” Khan said.

He said the move would also attract research, investment and tourists.

Khan said, “Kakoijana is one of the few remaining habitats of the golden langur (Presbystis geei), which is listed in the category of rare species in the Red Data Book of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The animal has not been spotted anywhere except the Himalayan foothills along the Assam-Bhutan border. Over the years, denudation of forests for timber and agriculture has shrunk the golden langur’s only habitat and left it vulnerable to poaching and other dangers.”

To ensure sufficient food and safety for the endangered species, the district administration, the Assam forest department and the panchayat and rural development department have started a scheme under MGNREGA to plant 10,575 seedlings and saplings of fruit-bearing trees ensure sufficient food and safety for golden langurs. Khan urged residents and schoolchildren to be sensitive towards their environment and work collectively for the protection of golden langurs.