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

A Himalayan langur overlooking a village and river valley

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.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge & Human Dimensions

Lead: Dr. Himani Nautiyal

A langur troop resting above terraced fields in the Garhwal Himalayas

Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Resource Use

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

Community Engagement & Applied Conservation

Community Education in Mandal Valley

Collective Project. Develops education programs to build local awareness and long-term stewardship.

Community Plantations

Collective Project. Supports habitat restoration through community-led initiatives.

Behavioral & Evolutionary Ecology

A female Himalayan langur holding her infant in a tree

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.

Movement Ecology & Spatial Cognition

Langurs moving across boulders beside a Himalayan river

Movement Ecology and Spatial Cognition

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

Health, Genetics & Environmental Risk

A Himalayan langur beside a river in cold weather

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.

Communication & Social Systems

Adult langurs grooming while an infant sits nearby

Bioacoustics and Vocal Communication

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

Critical & Interdisciplinary Perspectives

A group of Himalayan langurs close to a researcher in the field

Understanding Conflict within Environmental Research Practices

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

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.