The goral finds its haven ( Assam, INDIA )

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The Telegraph, Guwahati, 06 Aug 2005

Link:

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050806/asp/guwahati/story_5080366.asp

 

The goral finds its haven

- Forest range upgraded to protect goat-antelope species

Silchar, Aug. 5: Help is at hand for the endangered goral — a

magnificent goat-antelope species whose only home in the country is

now Cachar.

 

The 20,527-hectare Barak forest is being upgraded into a biosphere

reserve, a step that will ensure protection for the last remaining

gorals in the country. The last headcount revealed that only eight of

the animals remain.

 

Situated in the catchment area of the Barak, the forest reserve is a

treasure-trove of precious plants with medicinal properties and

orchids, apart from rare wild animals and reptiles. South Assam

conservator of forests M.M. Sharma said financial assistance had been

sought from the Centre to finance this scheme.

 

Most of the forests in South Assam are now being ravaged by hordes of

timber sharks. Sharma said the scheme came into being immediately

after the Centre gave its nod to a Dispur order upgrading another

unspoilt and rich forest reserve into South Assam's first biosphere

reserve. The proposed sanctuary in Cachar will be the unique home of

prized medicinal plants and a rich array of rare animals, including

the goral, a long-haired goat-antelope with horns that curve

backwards.

 

The goral is found in the Himalaya's lower reaches of Nepal and

Cachar, apart from some parts of China and Korea. The goral was

classified as threatened by the International Union for Conservation

of Nature (IUCN) in 1996.

 

Extremely nimble, gorals can move at high speed across rough terrain.

The loss of habitat in Cachar was said to be one of the main reasons

for the fast disappearance of the shy animals. The area, thick with

impenetrable forest cover, boasts of such valuable timber species as

gamari (Gmeline Arboria), sundi (Alchodaphenae Specis) and naher

(Mesua Ferrae).

 

Its soil has sedimentary and tertiary character and is eco-friendly,

ensuring the growth in profusion of bamboo, particularly of its muli

variety.

 

Free from any biotic interference, this virgin forest is also home to

a diversified array of fauna, including the barking deer and the

leopard, and avian species like the hawk and the oriole, a bright-

coloured arboreal bird with a musical call.

 

Sharma further said the state forest department had also rushed

through another scheme for conversion of the Barail reserve forest —

spread over Cachar and Karimganj districts — into the Barail wildlife

sanctuary.

 

Cachar divisional forest officer (DFO) Ajay Bharali said there are

such rare species as flying fox, slow loris, stump-tailed macaque,

capped langur, hoolock gibbon, sambar and coloured leopard. Among the

important bird varieties in this dense forest are slender-billed

vulture, mountain bamboo partridge, wreathed hornbill, kaleej

pheasant and gray sibia.

 

Bharali added that the scheme for the development of this newly-

declared sanctuary includes deployment of forest patrol guards in

adequate numbers and provision of sophisticated firearms and

effective wireless gadgets. This is aimed at foiling poachers as well

as militants seeking hideouts there.