Project Update:February 2010

From November 2009 to January 2010, four consultative meetings were held with local communities living in Palabek kal. The purpose was to sensitize them and build awareness about the importance of conserving nature in general, e.g. habitat restoration or protection, and the primates in particular. A community conservation management committee was formed and trained so that they can play a leading role in mobilizing rural communities as well as disseminating relevant information. A series of field travels were made to all the villages surrounding the forest reserve.

From 15th January to 13th February 2010, information regarding the distribution of the primates was gathered. Parallel line transects of 5 km long each and 500 m apart were set on each of the 5 x 5 km square forest blocks. Numbers were determined by censuses conducted while walking along the line transects. We are in the process of designing best conservation strategies for these primates. However, the main problem now is dry season and most the primates are migrating towards the valleys leading to unhabituated and undisturbed wilderness of Padwat and paracele.