BONGAIGAON. In a major boost to wildlife conservation and ecological connectivity, NTPC Bongaigaon provided ₹10 lakh in financial support during FY 2025–26 under its Sustainable Development initiatives to construct six Artificial Canopy Bridges in Assam’s Kokrajhar district. The initiative—titled *“Establishing Artificial Canopy Bridges as Road Overpass and Linking Populations of Endangered Golden Langur through Village Corridor”*—spans the Nadangiri–Baxamara–Amguri–Nayekgaon–Chakrashilla forest complex. Implemented in close collaboration with the Haltugaon Forest Division and the Primate Research Centre, North-East India, the project addresses the severe threats posed by habitat fragmentation to the endangered Golden Langur (*Trachypithecus geei*).
The installed aerial ropeways provide safe overpasses across highways and roads, preventing these tree-dwelling primates from descending to the ground where they face significant risks of vehicular accidents and human interaction. To measure the success of the intervention and record wildlife behavior, three camera traps were strategically set up to monitor movement patterns across the bridges. Additionally, four road-safety signages were erected along critical transit stretches to sensitize drivers, reduce vehicle speeds, and raise community awareness about habitat preservation in the Bodoland Territorial Region.
Complementing the structural interventions, the project incorporated a habitat restoration component through the planting of 2,000 native tree saplings to gradually restore natural forest canopy connectivity. By facilitating safe transit and encouraging genetic exchange between isolated langur populations, this multi-agency partnership between NTPC Bongaigaon, state forest authorities, and scientific research institutes sets a strong benchmark for sustainable industrial practices coexisting with biodiversity protection.
