Guwahati, Apr 19: In a strong show of youth engagement with wildlife conservation, over 400 students of Classes 8, 9, 10 and 12 at Don Bosco School here participated in a series of awareness sessions on April 11, focusing on the endangered Western Hoolock Gibbon.
The sessions, organised by the Meghalaya-based HURO Programme, were led by Programme Director Florian Magne and Educational Director Suman Gogoi Bhuyan. The speakers highlighted the ecological importance of the Western Hoolock Gibbon—the only ape species found in India—and underscored the growing threats to its survival due to habitat loss and fragmentation across Northeast India.
Addressing the students, the team stressed the urgent need to conserve forest ecosystems that sustain the species, while also linking conservation to broader environmental challenges. The interactive sessions saw students actively engaging with questions and discussions, reflecting a growing awareness among young people on biodiversity issues.
Organisers said such initiatives are key to building long-term environmental responsibility. “Engaging students directly helps translate awareness into action and nurtures future conservation advocates,” they noted.
The HURO Programme, which works on field conservation, education and community outreach, said it plans to expand its educational initiatives across the Northeast in 2026 under the leadership of Suman Gogoi Bhuyan.
The organisation also acknowledged the support of Don Bosco School principal Dr Alex Mathew, along with the faculty and students, for making the programme impactful.
Conservationists warn that without sustained awareness and habitat protection efforts, the Western Hoolock Gibbon could face further population decline, making such school-level outreach efforts increasingly significant in the region.
