India: A Biodiversity Hot Spot
India is an enchanting land of ancient cultures, diverse environments and fantastic wildlife. It has snow-capped mountains, deserts, forests, wetlands and fertile plains, and its climate ranges from temperate to tropical monsoon. Within India’s borders are some of the most charismatic animals on the planet, including lions, tigers, lesser pandas, camels and elephants. It is also home to a bounty of distinctly Indian species such as cobras, chinkaras, blue bulls and a variety of leaf-eating monkeys called langurs.

The people of India are passionate lovers of nature and wildlife, and India has one of the most extensive networks of protected areas in the world. However, as the second most populous nation in the world, there is often conflict between human communities and wildlife. In recent decades, India has seen a number of its beloved animals go extinct. And although it is still one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world, the fight to save animal species is only becoming more intense as the population grows.

Langur Monkeys
Langurs, or leaf monkeys, are Old World primates that feed primarily on leaves. They have long limbs, slender bodies, and opposable thumbs and toes. They are very social animals but can also be extremely territorial. They are found in both the forests and towns of India, and typically coexist quite well with humans.

Hanuman Langurs
Hanuman langurs are named after the beloved Hindu monkey god Hanuman. They have silvery or brownish fur, long tails and black skin. They stand about 2 feet tall and have tails that are between 2 and 3 feet long. Hanuman langurs eat a variety leaves, seeds, fruit and insects. They also eat bark and soil, which is thought to protect their stomach from the toxins in the plant material that makes up the bulk of their diet. Hanuman langurs are found throughout India in a variety of forest and scrubland habitats, but they also thrive in urban settings.

Scientists have long been fascinated by the Hanuman langur's ability to survive in the harshest  environments, including the snow-covered Himalayas and scorching hot Indian desert. They are also studied for the flexibility of their social systems, which can range from large and friendly groups to fiercely defended harems. No matter what the social arrangement of a group, most Hanuman langurs typically spend the majority of their time lounging and grooming one another.

Hanuman langurs are worshipped for their strength and bravery, and are the sacred monkey of India. In some parts of India they are abundant. In others, they are threatened due to habitat loss and capture for the exotic species trade.

Golden Langurs
Golden langurs are found in the forests of the Indian state of Assam and neighboring Bhutan. They have black faces and beautiful, long, golden brown fur that forms a pointed tuft on the tops of their heads. They live in groups led by dominant males and spend most of their time in the forest canopy feeding on leaves, fruit and seeds.

Like the Hanuman langur, the golden langur is considered a sacred animal in India. Unfortunately, it is also seriously endangered. In recent years, the forest habitat of the golden langur has been destroyed by grazing and timber interests. Unless deforestation in their range is stopped, golden langurs will not survive.

Chinkaras 
Chinkaras, also called Indian gazelles, are the smallest antelope on the Asian continent. They are shy, nocturnal, mostly solitary animals found in woodland, grassland and desert regions of India. The males typically have short horns, though some may grow to 11 inches or more. Chinkaras have the remarkable ability to go without water for many days. They have a life expectancy of 12-15 years.

Chinkaras require large, open habitat rather than dense forest. They were once abundant in India, but are currently endangered and may be on the verge of extinction. The decline is mainly due to loss of suitable habitat and is also a result of poaching, which is the illegal hunting of an animal.

Blue Bulls
Blue bulls are a kind of antelope found throughout India's northern plains and woodlands. They have narrow, elongated faces and large bodies that can weigh up to about 500 pounds. Female blue bulls are light brown, but mature males have a bluish coloration. Both sexes have distinctive white markings on their legs and ears, and males have a pair of curved horns on their heads that may grow to a length of about 8 inches. Although blue bulls are considered a sacred animal in India, their numbers are in decline in some areas due to hunting and habitat loss.

Conservation in India
In a country as densely populated as India, space is a hot commodity. Animals in India must compete with more than 1 billion people for land and resources. Often critical animal habitat is lost to development projects, logging interests, agriculture, and industrial operations. In addition, animals in India are subject to poaching and being harassed or killed when they wander into farmland or urban areas.

Fortunately, conservation in India is often helped by the fact that the Indian people consider forests and many animals to be sacred. Wildlife and landscapes are protected in India through generations-old traditions, beliefs, and social customs. In the coming years, these customs may prove to be a critical component in the fight to save pristine ecosystems and essential animal habitat.

Get Involved!
Would you like to help protect the animals of India? Community Conservation is an organization that is working to save langurs in India. Learn more now. Find out how you can participate in the golden langur conservation project of India.