Pijush Hazarika praises Hoolock gibbon conservation in Assam

Dibrugarh: Pijush Hazarika, the state minister for social justice and empowerment, visited Barekuri village on Saturday. He came to see the village's efforts to protect the endangered Hoolock gibbon, the only ape species in India. His visit highlighted the strong connection between the villagers and the gibbons, which has earned recognition from the Assam government. The Hoolock gibbon is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In Barekuri, villagers have lived alongside these gibbons for many years, creating a safe environment for them. During his visit, Hazarika spoke with villagers and watched the gibbons in their natural setting. He even fed them bananas, which the gibbons accepted by swinging down from the trees. The Assam government recently awarded Barekuri the "Asom Gaurav Award" for its exceptional conservation efforts. Hazarika praised the villagers for their dedication and harmony with the gibbons. He mentioned that their efforts serve as a model for conservation in Assam and beyond. In Barekuri, the Hoolock gibbons are seen as part of the community. The villagers celebrate new gibbon births and work tirelessly to protect the species. Hazarika emphasized that conservation requires teamwork, saying the Barekuri community's commitment shows what can be achieved when people unite for a common cause. He also promised ongoing government support to help with their conservation initiatives.