In the village of Barekuri, Assam, Mohit Chutia and his community share a unique connection with the endangered hoolock gibbons, the only ape species in India.<\/p>\n
Chutia, often called \u201cbandar\u201d (monkey) by locals, has formed a deep bond with the gibbons, treating them like family.<\/p>\n
The village is home to just 19 of these apes, with only four females remaining, putting their survival at risk.<\/p>\n
As Chutia cradles his grandson and sings to the gibbons, they leap gracefully through the canopy above.<\/p>\n
Despite this harmony, the gibbons face grave threats. Habitat loss from deforestation, mining, and industrial expansion has fragmented the forest, cutting the apes off from vital resources.<\/p>\n
Chutia recalls a gas blowout in 2020 that devastated the area, killing wildlife and affecting the villagers.<\/p>\n
Researchers like Ishika Ramakrishna urge the government to halt further mining and create \u201ccanopy bridges\u201d to help the gibbons move safely across open spaces.<\/p>\n
While the Indian government has praised Barekuri\u2019s coexistence with its gibbons, ongoing threats from industry loom, leaving the future of this delicate relationship in question.<\/p>\n