GUWAHATI

Seven endangered golden langurs, rescued from wildlife traffickers from western Assam’s Chirang district on June 19, were released in the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park on Thursday (June 25, 2026).

Straddling Chirang and Kokrajhar districts in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), the 316 sq. km Sikhna Jwhwlao is the newest of Assam’s eight national parks.

The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) has one of the most restricted primate ranges in the world, found only in a narrow geographic corridor comprising western Assam and the foothills of southern Bhutan. Their 30,000 sq. km domain is bounded by rivers, including the Brahmaputra, on three sides and mountains in Bhutan on the fourth.

Announcing the release of the rescued golden langurs, Assam Forest Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah said the primates completed a carefully supervised rehabilitation process before being reintroduced into their natural habitat.

“Their health and behaviour were also assessed scientifically,” he said, describing the development as a major achievement in Assam’s wildlife conservation efforts and crediting the outcome to coordinated action involving forest officials, wildlife experts, enforcement agencies, and local communities.

The released primates were among eight golden langurs rescued from nine wildlife traffickers, including a Bangladeshi national, during an operation conducted by the Assam police’s Special Task Force. One of the rescued primates did not survive despite medical intervention and rehabilitation efforts.

The species is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and is recognised among the world’s most endangered primates.

The Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park forms part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve and provides habitat for several rare and endangered species, including the golden langur.

The other habitats of the golden langur are Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Raimona National Park in Kokrajhar district, Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary straddling Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts, and Kakoijana Reserve Forest in Bongaigaon district.