The pressing issue of the conservation status of India’s only ape species, the hoolock gibbon has recently become a matter of global concern. The Global Gibbon Network (GGN) brought this to light in their inaugural meeting held in Haikou, a province in China’s Hainan. The GGN was formed during the International Gibbon Day 2020 event, where representatives from 20 gibbon conservation organizations convened for the first time to discuss the preservation of these apes.
Hoolock Gibbon: A Brief Overview
Gibbons are known as the smallest and quickest of all apes, inhabiting tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia. These highly intelligent creatures display distinct personalities and strong familial connections akin to other ape species. They represent one of 20 gibbon species found globally.
The present population of hoolock gibbons is estimated to be around 12,000 individuals, who principally reside in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Southern China. There are two distinct hoolock gibbon species identified in India’s northeastern region—the eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) and the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
A recent study by the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad has offered a new perspective on the genetic makeup of these gibbons. The study revealed that there exist only one species of gibbon in India, dismissing the earlier belief of separate eastern and western species based on coat color. The genetic analysis further demonstrated that the populations thought to be eastern and western hoolock gibbons diverged approximately 1.48 million years ago. The study also estimated that gibbons diverged from a common ancestor around 8.38 million years ago.
Gibbon Conservation: Risks and Challenges
Among the 20 gibbon species, including hoolock gibbons, all are at substantial risk of extinction due to conservation issues. Over the past century, gibbon populations and their habitats have experienced significant decline, further restricted to tropical rainforests.
In India, the primary threat to hoolock gibbons is the loss of their natural habitat due to deforestation for infrastructure projects.
Conservation Status of Gibbons
The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List classifies the Western Hoolock Gibbon as endangered and the Eastern Hoolock Gibbon as vulnerable. Additionally, both these species find a place on Schedule 1 of the Indian (Wildlife) Protection Act 1972.
In light of the recent convergent studies and scientific discussions around the conservation status of gibbons, it is evident these species face increasing risk of extinction, pushing the need for concerted global efforts to ensure their survival.
Relevance in Civil Services Examination
The preservation of the hoolock gibbon has also appeared in the Previous Year Questions (PYQs) of the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The importance of this topic and the need for a comprehensive understanding is reflected in questions regarding the matching of well-known protected areas and their fauna. For instance, in a 2010 question paper, candidates were asked to match Bhiterkanika in Orissa, Desert National Park in Rajasthan, and Eravikulam in Kerala with the Salt Water Crocodile, Great Indian Bustard, and Hoolock Gibbon respectively.