Vegetation Surveys and Hoolock Gibbons

Which tree species are present in EECEP, and can they sustain populations of tree-dependent wildlife like hoolock gibbons and other frugivores? To answer this, we are conducting a detailed vegetation survey across the Elopa–Etugu Community Eco-Cultural Preserve (EECEP) to understand forest composition and tree diversity.

Many species—especially hoolock gibbons, other primates, and birds including hornbills, pigeons, and barbets—depend directly on fruiting trees for food and habitat. From oral histories and discussions with community elders, we already know the key tree species preferred by gibbons. Our survey aims to map the abundance and distribution of these fruiting trees and assess whether the forest’s composition resembles that of an unaltered rainforest.

We are surveying tree composition and diversity, each 500 metres long, across different forest types in EECEP, documenting tree species, their numbers, and their relative proportions throughout the year.

A secondary, long-term goal is to support ecological restoration by establishing a community-led rainforest nursery to increase the number of fruiting trees in EECEP and provide saplings for reforestation in other areas of the region. This work combines ecological understanding with community action to support both wildlife populations, restoration, and the health of local forests.

About Dibang Team 

The Dibang Team is a collective of Idu Mishmi people from the twin districts of the Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, India. We have been working to conserve the region’s bio-cultural diversity while creating sustainable livelihoods. We combine Western science with Idu knowledge, culture, and spirituality to strengthen our cultural and traditional institutions, ensuring that the region’s biocultural diversity continues to thrive for generations.