In a major crackdown on wildlife trafficking, the Special Task Force (STF) of Assam Police, in a late-night operation on June 19, 2026, rescued eight golden langurs — one of the world’s most endangered primate species — and arrested nine people. Acting on intelligence, the STF team intercepted vehicles moving along National Highway-27 in Sidli, Chirang district, and rescued the endangered primates intended to be smuggled through West Bengal into the international black market, investigators revealed.
One Bangladeshi national, five from West Bengal, and three locals were among the nine arrested, indicating the involvement of a trafficking network with local intermediaries and interstate operatives linked to a larger international trafficking network. The primates were found crammed into gunny sacks.
The physical trauma caused during transit left one langur dead. The surviving seven langurs, after necessary veterinary evaluation and stabilization, were later released back into the wild in the Ultapani range (from where they were thought to have been captured) of the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) on June 23, 2026.
Local conservation workers allege that these primates in protected habitats like Ultapani have frequently been trapped by local intermediaries.
Increased risks of habitat degradation
“A symbol of vitality and the region’s rich ecological heritage and biodiversity, the golden langur serves as our collective pride, yet there have been serious gaps in the protection of the species and its habitat,” said Dharanidhar Boro, a celebrated forest ranger who retired from the Assam Forest Department. “Large-scale destruction of forests and encroachment inside the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park have been quite appalling,” Boro, who also served as secretary of the Bodoland Territorial Council, added.
Spanning over 316 square kilometers, the Sikhna Jwhwlao is the newest addition to Assam’s eight national parks, straddling Chirang and Kokrajhar districts, and sits perfectly between Raimona National Park to the west and Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve to the east – a vital continuous corridor that allows safe, natural movement of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei).
One of the region’s most iconic species, the golden langur was first brought to the notice of the world by E. P. Gee in the 1950s, when he came across the rare arboreal species in the sub-Himalayan forests. Endemic only to a narrow geographic boundary between Assam in India and southern Bhutan, Gee estimated the total population of golden langurs between the Sankosh and Manas rivers to be about 550 in the winter of 1959-60.
The latest population data reveals that the two countries share fewer than 14,000 individuals in the wild. Decades after Gee discovered them in the Indo-Bhutan border area, sightings of these magnificent primates were reported from Chakrasila — now a wildlife sanctuary stretching between the Dhubri and Kokrajhar districts — and Kakoijana Reserve Forest in the Bongaigaon district of Assam. A 2024 survey estimates their number to be around 7,396 in India, spread across fragmented habitats in Assam.
Encroachment, agricultural expansion, and linear infrastructure development led to habitat degradation, fragmentation, and isolation and caused a decline of the endemic species across their natural range.
The species is listed as Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and among the world’s 25 most endangered primates.
Rapid urbanization and encroachment on forest lands have severed the natural connectivity to forests and, at times, force these arboreal species to leave their natural treetop habitats. The majority of their population is found outside the protected areas, adding more threats to their vulnerable existence.
Foraging outside dwindling forest patches frequently leads to fatal encounters with feral dogs and roadkills, and deaths have often been reported from electrocution caused by exposed electric wires.
Even if a species is fully protected, there have been critical gaps in habitat protection. Often, permits for infrastructure development are obtained despite intervening with the habitat of protected species.
Illegal trade compounds existing threats
Already threatened by habitat destruction, these golden-hued simians now face a severe survival emergency by being targeted by illegal wildlife trafficking. Each act of trafficking threatens their ability to survive and reproduce. Illegal trade disproportionately targets breeding individuals, which impacts their population, as removing mature adults drastically reduces birth rates.
Traffickers kill mothers to capture infants for the pet trade, destroying the social structures required for the survival of infants. Organized gangs have targeted the species due to demand in the pet trade, for private zoos, and for organs traded in the traditional medicine markets of Southeast Asia, taking advantage of the gaps in legal frameworks within countries.
Illegal wildlife trade has been breaking laws within countries and violating CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Despite being protected by global agreements like CITES, traffickers exploit weak law enforcement and online anonymity to sell and transport protected species illegally. E-commerce and social media platforms have fueled a surge in demand for primates as pets.
The golden langur enjoys the highest legal protection in India, being listed as a Schedule-I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972. Any attempt at poaching, trapping, or trading is a severe criminal offense.
“Illegal trafficking of golden langurs is a highly critical conservation threat. While patrolling along the Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park and monitoring the species have been strengthened, awareness among communities is important when it comes to the protection of the species,” explained Dharanidhar Boro. “Public understanding of the threats posed by illegal wildlife trade can help foster community responsibility. Our decisions ultimately impact conservation,” he said and added, “Government authorities don’t always have access to where wildlife occurs. Indigenous communities living in and around Protected Areas automatically become stakeholders, and their stewardship helps strengthen governance.”
Experts believe building the capacity of local communities transforms them into active conservation partners. Locals are better positioned to monitor remote areas and can provide critical intelligence on suspicious activities.
Equipping locals with training in wildlife monitoring and behaviour can be crucial not only in exploring solutions for effective co-existence but also in creating a first line of defense against wildlife trade.