Letter from Chairman

It gives me great pleasure to share an important organizational milestone. The Huro Programme - established with the broad aim of conserving the Western Hoolock Gibbon (ranked amongst the most endangered primate species in the world by IUCN in 2010) in the Northeastern Indian states - has now been formally incorporated as a not-for-profit Section 8 company under the Companies Act, 2013: HURO PROGRAMME FOUNDATION.

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This transition strengthens our governance, transparency, and long-term ability to deliver impact across research, rehabilitation, community engagement, and habitat protection for India’s only ape.

 

Why this transition?

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• Stronger Governance and Accountability: Section 8 incorporation provides a robust statutory framework, board oversight, and transparent reporting.

• Sustainable Growth: A formal entity enables deeper partnerships with government, research institutions, and donors.

• Operational Continuity: Our mission and activities continue seamlessly, now under a structure designed for scale and long-term conservation outcomes.

 

Our Mission and Focus

 

• Core Mission: Conservation of the Western Hoolock Gibbon and its habitats in Northeastern India.

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• Key Actions (continuing and expanding):

  • Habitat protection initiatives with local communities, forest departments, and civil society.

  • Scientific research projects to inform conservation strategies and policy.

  • Rehabilitation and reintroduction programs for rescued gibbons, guided by best practices and welfare standards.

  • Education and outreach to build community stewardship and reduce threats.

  • Implementation support for wildlife laws and ethical enforcement, including confiscation of illegally kept wildlife where appropriate and lawful.

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What changes (and what remains the same)

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• What’s New

  • Huro Programme is now the Huro Programme Foundation, a Section 8 company.

  • Formal governance via a Board with defined committees and policies (finance, audit, safeguarding, ethics).

  • Standardized monitoring, evaluation, and reporting to track outcomes and share impact transparently.

 

• What Remains the Same

  • Our mission, priority landscapes, and focus on Western Hoolock Gibbon conservation.

  • Our partnerships with local communities and government agencies.

  • Our commitment to ethical, science-led, and lawful conservation action.

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Compliance and Documentation

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• Incorporation as a Section 8 company is complete.

• Statutory registrations, bank accounts, and updated governance documents are being aligned with the new entity.

• We will share details of applicable registrations/approvals (e.g., CSR eligibility, relevant tax exemptions) once granted by the authorities.

• All ongoing projects, MoUs, and assets are being transitioned to the Foundation as per due process to ensure continuity.

 

Current Priorities and Next Steps

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• Strengthen Field Operations: Expand habitat protection and community-based conservation in key gibbon ranges.

• Scale Rescue–Rehabilitation–Reintroduction: Enhance facilities, veterinary care, and post-release monitoring.

• Deepen Research: Population assessments, connectivity studies, and threat mapping to guide action.

• Community Partnerships: Alternative livelihood support, human-wildlife coexistence initiatives, and youth engagement.

• Transparency & Reporting: Publish annual impact and audited financial statements under the Foundation.

 

How You Can Support

 

• Program Partnerships: Collaborate on research, training, and on-ground conservation.

• Policy and Advocacy: Join us in supporting evidence-based protection of critical habitats.

• Philanthropy/CSR: Multi-year programmatic support amplifies impact; we will provide documentation required for due diligence.

• Awareness: Help us raise the profile of the Western Hoolock Gibbon and mobilize public support.

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Acknowledgements

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This transition is possible because of your trust and partnership. We are deeply grateful to government agencies, local communities, donors, scientific advisors, and volunteers who stand with us in safeguarding India’s only ape. 

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With renewed purpose and stronger foundations, we look forward to the next chapter of our shared mission.

 

 

Warm Regards,

 

Raj Baishya

Chairman

Huro Programme Foundation