In news– ‘Blue Langurs’ have been spotted in Ankleshwar, Gujarat recently.
Adverse impact of the industries on Blue Langurs-
- The langurs with their fur coloured blue due to exposure to chemical-based dyes were spotted in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) near Ankleshwar, Gujarat.
- It has highlighted the adverse impact of the industries operating in the town.
- Many of the chemicals used in the industrial units are carcinogenic and have been reported to cause skin ailments as well as cancers among workers.
- Locals have often spotted chemical-coloured stray dogs and birds in the town and its vicinity.
About Langur-
- Langur is the general name given to numerous species of Asian monkeys belonging to the subfamily Colobinae.
- The term is often restricted to nearly two dozen species of leaf monkeys but is also applied to various other members of the subfamily.
- The Common, Gray or Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) is found across south Asia.
- Its 16 subspecies’ range extends from the Himalayas in the north to peninsular India in the south.
- It is found both in forests and near human habitations.
Ankleshwar-
- Ankleshwar is well-known for its industrial units manufacturing dyes and intermediates.
- The stretch between Ahmedabad and the industrial city of Vapi in Gujarat is known as the ‘Golden Quadrilateral’.
- It is among the largest industrial clusters in Asia.
Source: Down to Earth
