Guwahati: The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has announced plans to construct canopy bridges over railway tracks in Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary which is located in Jorhat, Assam.
Officials said that the main objective behind the canopy bridge installation at several identified points is to facilitate easy access and movement of the endangered Hoolock Gibbon from one part of the railway tracks to another in the forest. The decision was taken following consultation with the State Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India, and other key stakeholders.
A spokesperson for NFR revealed that the canopy bridges will be strategically placed at several identified points which will ensure that the gibbons are able to move freely and safely from one section of forest to another. Meanwhile, the state forest department has submitted a design with estimates for the installation of such bridges over the railway tracks.
The ends of the canopy bridges as well as the knots will be secured and tightened using high-grade fastening materials and techniques and safety nets will be in place below the main twin-rope structure to save the species from accidentally falling off the bridges. The sanctuary has a rich biodiversity and is home to the only apes in India, the western Hoolock. "The canopy rope bridges will guide long-term natural elements like lianas and creepers along the rope bridges, forming part of a hybrid design centred around the rope canopy bridge", the Railways said in a statement.
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