Doomdooma: A women’s cycling competition will be held in Barekuri, Assam, on October 24 to raise awareness about the endangered Western hoolock gibbon and promote community-led wildlife conservation.
The Barekuri Environment-Tourism Development Society and the Barekuri Hoolock Gibbon Conservation Society will organise the event at the Tarajan-Denka Combined Youth Club Playground to mark World Gibbon Day.
The programme will begin at 6 am with gibbon observation and food distribution, followed by a welcome ceremony for guests, including local leaders. The cycling competition, open to women aged 20 and above, is scheduled to start at 7 am.
Located about 16 km from Tinsukia town in Upper Assam, Barekuri comprises a cluster of villages known for an unusual relationship between residents and the wild apes. Around 20 to 21 Western hoolock gibbons from five family groups live among bamboo groves and fruit trees in the villagers’ backyards.
The local populace, predominantly belonging to the Moran community, has developed close ties with the primates. Residents give the gibbons names, feed and observe traditional rituals to mark births and deaths. The relationship has brought Barekuri recognition as an example of community participation in wildlife conservation.
However, the gibbons face threats from habitat fragmentation linked to roads and oil extraction. Their population has declined from around 33 in 2003, according to local sources. Electrocution deaths have also raised concerns, prompting measures to insulate power lines, while food scarcity remains another challenge.
Conservation efforts include planting thousands of fruit-bearing trees and plans to establish a green corridor connecting Barekuri with the Bherjan-Borajan-Padumoni Wildlife Sanctuary. The corridor is intended to support movement between populations and facilitate genetic exchange.
Organisers said the cycling competition aims to broaden public awareness of the species, encourage eco-tourism and strengthen community involvement in protecting the gibbons. The event also seeks to bring more women into local conservation initiatives.
Western hoolock gibbons are known for their distinctive calls, often heard in the morning. Their survival depends on suitable tree cover and secure habitats, making the protection of the landscape around Barekuri important for their continued coexistence with local communities.