Canopy bridges installed to protect endangered Golden Langurs along Assam's Bismuri–Saralpara Road

In a bid to reduce road fatalities among endangered Golden Langurs, the BTC Forest Department and the Primate Research Centre Northeast India (PRC NE India) have installed two artificial canopy bridges along the Bismuri–Saralpara Road passing through the newly designated Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park.

 

The intervention comes amid growing concerns over the impact of the ongoing road widening project, which conservationists say has fragmented the natural habitat of the Golden Langur, the official mascot of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC).

 

According to experts, two Golden Langurs were killed in separate road accidents within a span of seven days in May 2026 while attempting to cross the road. The widening of the roadway and removal of canopy cover have forced the arboreal primates to descend to the ground, exposing them to speeding vehicles.

 

To address the issue, Primate Research Centre NE India and BTC Forest have installed a Ladder Bridge and a Pipe Bridge near Ride Number Seven of the national park. The Pipe Bridge includes a vertically mounted rope designed to provide additional support for tree-dwelling animals crossing between fragmented forest patches.

 

The Bismuri–Saralpara Road cuts through the core of the 316.29 sq km Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park, which stretches across Kokrajhar and Chirang districts and holds the second-largest population of Golden Langurs.

 

Conservationists have warned that once the road is fully completed and paved, traffic volume and vehicle speeds are likely to increase significantly, further endangering wildlife.

 

PRC NE India has called for additional mitigation measures before the project is completed, including safeguards for other vulnerable species such as butterflies, amphibians and reptiles. The road also serves as an important connectivity corridor linking Assam with Bhutan's Sarpang district.

 

The initiative is being viewed as an important step toward balancing infrastructure development with wildlife conservation in one of the region's most ecologically sensitive landscapes.