Himalayan Langur Project

Research

Research

The Himalayan Langur Project is a long-term, collaborative research program examining how humans and wildlife adapt to shared environments across ecological and anthropogenic gradients in the Himalayas.

Human–Wildlife Coexistence & Socio-Ecological Systems

Lead: Dr. Himani Nautiyal

Socio-ecological Drivers of Human Responses to Langurs

Examines how proximity, seasonality, and conservation interventions shape human behavior toward wildlife.

Human–Langur Interactions in Agro-Forest Landscapes

Investigates how land use, resource availability, and seasonal dynamics structure interactions between people and langurs.

Behavioral Responses to Predation Risk in Human-Dominated Systems

Explores how free-ranging dogs and human presence influence langur behavior, sociality, and space use across landscapes.

Research on human-wildlife coexistence in the Himalayas Project pages covering culture and climate change, coexistence in shared landscapes, livestock and langur interactions, and medicinal plant use. Visit Research Projects
A Himalayan langur overlooking a village and river valley A group of Himalayan langurs including an infant resting on a rock

Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Human Dimensions

Lead: Dr. Himani Nautiyal

Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Use

Documents how local knowledge systems and cultural practices shape interactions with biodiversity and influence conservation outcomes.

Inside a shepherd camp in the high pastures, with grazing flocks on the slope beyond A snow-dusted Himalayan peak above forested slopes at dusk

Behavioral & Evolutionary Ecology

Maternal–Offspring Responses to Anthropogenic Activity

PI: Elizabeth Coggeshall. Examines behavioral and physiological responses to human disturbance.

Primate Energetics Across Space

PI: Soumalya Ghorui. Investigates energy use and activity patterns across ecological gradients.

A female Himalayan langur holding her infant in a tree Community members and the project team holding saplings during a plantation activity

Movement Ecology & Spatial Cognition

Movement Ecology and Spatial Cognition

PI: Virendra Mathur. Explores navigation and space use in complex, human-modified landscapes.

Langurs moving across boulders beside a Himalayan river Panoramic view across the Garhwal Himalayan research landscape at dusk

Health, Genetics & Environmental Risk

Genetic, Pollution, and Climatic Risk Assessment

PI: Diganta Mandal. Assesses population vulnerability under environmental change.

Gut Microbial Variation Across Elevations and Anthropogenic Contexts

PI: Elizabeth Coggeshall. Examines how ecological and human factors shape gut microbiomes.

Primate Environmental Endocrinology Laboratory Our collaborating lab at Indiana University, studying how environmental change and pesticide exposure affect primates across Uganda, Costa Rica, India, and Madagascar. Visit PEEL
A Himalayan langur beside a river in cold weather An adult male Himalayan langur resting on a pine branch

Communication & Social Systems

Bioacoustics and Vocal Communication

PI: Avirup Sinha. Studies vocal behavior across ecological and social contexts.

Adult langurs grooming while an infant sits nearby An adult male Himalayan langur calling from the forest floor

Critical & Interdisciplinary Perspectives

Understanding Conflict within Environmental Research Practices

PI: Aarjav Chauhan. Examines ethical and structural challenges in conservation research.

A group of Himalayan langurs close to a researcher in the field A Himalayan langur on a rock above terraced fields and village houses

Research Videos

Field Observations and Research Context

Himalayan langur research video thumbnail Play Langur Research Video Field footage connected to the project’s long-term research on Himalayan langurs. Himalayan langur field research video thumbnail Play Field Research Context Additional video material highlighting langur behavior and the landscapes around the work.