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Phayre's leaf monkeys inhabit tropical, deciduous, and evergreen forests in states like Tripura, Assam, and Mizoram, but monoculture rubber plantations have fragmented their range. In Tripura's Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary, these folivores now rely heavily on rubber leaves, comprising over 67% of their diet in some studies, raising concerns about nutritional deficiencies and toxin exposure.​
Key Facts About Phayre’s Leaf Monkey
- Scientific name: Trachypithecus phayrei
- Common names: Phayre’s langur, “chasma bandor” (Bengali), “chasma-chakuwa bandar” (Assamese)
- Appearance: Dark grey fur with striking white rings around the eyes and lips, giving a bespectacled look
- Habitat: Arboreal and diurnal, living in tropical and subtropical forests
- Distribution: Found in Northeast India (Tripura, Mizoram, Assam), Bangladesh, and Myanmar
- Diet: Primarily leaves, fruits, flowers, and seeds
- Conservation status: Endangered (IUCN Red List) due to deforestation and hunting
Conservation Challenges
- Rapid habitat destruction is forcing these arboreal monkeys to adapt to less suitable environments.
- Hunting and human encroachment further reduce their population.
- Fragmented forests in Northeast India make survival difficult for groups that rely on dense canopy cover.
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