Status and Conservation Initiative of Phayre’s Langur in Northeast Bangladesh

Tanvir Ahmed

Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) is a globally endangered primate, distributing to Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. Wide array of anthropocentric threats are declining its populations. There is no precise estimation of current population abundance of the Langur in Bangladesh. So, we plan to embark survey the Langur in northeast Bangladesh.

Specific aims of the project:

i. To estimate the population status and density of Phayre’s Langur in north-east Bangladesh.

ii. To assess the threats facing the Langur across the landscape.

iii. To promote awareness campaign towards biodiversity conservation.

iv. To develop management recommendations for the Langur.

Phayre's Langur at outside of Protected Area. © Md Sabit Hasan

Phayre's Langur at outside of Protected Area. © Md Sabit Hasan

Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) is a globally endangered primate, distributing to Bangladesh, China, India, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam. Wide array of anthropocentric threats are declining its populations. In Bangladesh, the population is thought to have a decline of more than 80% in last 20 years. Though there is no precise and statistically robust estimation of the population abundance available here. To initiate species specific conservation effort it is highly required to have insight about their current population status, habitat and threats affecting their survival. Numbers of protected areas in northeast Bangladesh are known to harbor their population. So, we plan to embark survey the Langur in north-eastern forests (n=5) of Bangladesh based on rigorous scientific method. We’ll also assess the threats, local people’s attitude towards the Langur and develop a management prescription for the areas beside awareness campaigns.

This project will be the first attempt to reveal the condition of Phayre’s Langur population in the region. Collecting baseline data, the project will help to fill the knowledge gap which is considered as a barrier to induct appropriate conservation measures.

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