India and Bangladesh have decided to make concerted conservation efforts to protect the rare spectacled langur, along with other primates, found in the Patharia Hills Reserve Forest on either side of the fenced border along Assam’s Karimganj district.

Spectacled monkeys have been sighted here in large numbers (though a proper survey is yet to be conducted), while several colonies of the Hoolock Gibbon and some Golden Langur have also been sighted within the forest –  according to Karimganj Deputy Commissioner Sanjiv Gohain Boruah.

The primary focus of the conservation effort will be to preserve the habitat for the survival of the primates and awareness campaigns would be conducted in the fringe villages to urge people not to destroy the forests for firewood.
– Sanjiv Gohain Boruah

The BSF personnel, guarding the Indo-Bangla border along this sector, have also been urged to ensure that the forest is preserved so that it remains a safe haven for the primates – Boruah added.

The Patharia Hills Reserve Forest, spread over an area of 7647.30 hectares on the Indian side, is predominantly a natural forest on the western border of Karimganj and consists of two blocks: Patharia ‘A’ and ‘B’.