Species of the Month: The Himalayan Langur

Common Name: Himalayan Langur, Nepal Gray Langur

Scientific Name: Semnopithecus schistaceus

IUCN Red List: Least Concern

CITES: Appendix 1

Wildlife Protection Act of India (1972): Schedule II

Population trend: Decreasing

In the forest canopy above, the rustling of the Kafal (Myrica esculenta) leaves caught my attention. I was in the forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates on bird surveys. Curious to know what was in the canopy and expecting to see Slaty-headed parakeets, I was surprised to find a Himalayan Langur (Semnopithecus schistaceus) in the Kafal tree. He seemed quite oblivious to my presence and allowed me to photograph him while he munched on the kafal fruit. He really seemed to be enjoying the kafal berries till finally being satisfied with a good number of mouthfuls he disappeared into the forests but not before he posed for my camera.

Eight species of Langur are recognized globally and the Himalayan Langur is also known as the Nepal Gray Langur. It is recognized as being endemic to the Himalayas with its range extending from the forests of North Western Frontier province of Pakistan, through the high Himalayan elevations (1500¬-4000 m) of India and Nepal and up to the Sankosh River in Bhutan. The species plays an important role in the forest ecosystem as a seed-disperser.

The Himalayan Langur mates between July to September giving birth in early winter to late spring. The species lives in multi –male female groups with group sizes ranging from 4 – 47 individuals. It is found in a number of forests which include Temperate, Sub-tropical and Tropical Moist Montane and Sub-Tropical and Tropical Moist shrublands.

The habitat of the Himalayan Langur is under increasing threat from development of its forests into urban areas and housing, conversion of natural forests to agriculture and horticulture, logging and deforestation and hunting while its tendency to raid crops and fruits brings it into conflict with humans.

Conservation Action: The Gadoli and Manda Khal Wildlife Conservation Trust is working actively on-ground to protect coniferous and broadleaved habitats of the Himalayan Langur in the private forests of the Gadoli and Manda Khal Fee Simple Estates and peripheral areas in this landscape. Foot-patrols to curb illicit tree felling, lopping and illegal cutting of natural regeneration are conducted regularly to secure habitat for the species.

Sources:

IUCN Red List

CITES

WLPA(1972)