The Silent Sage

Among the whispers of the forest, he sits still — a monk draped in silver, watching the world pass by.

The Grey Langur (Semnopithecus entellus), also known as the Hanuman Langur, is a primate species belonging to the family Cercopithecidae. Native to the Indian subcontinent, it is characterized by its long limbs, black face, and silvery-grey coat. Grey langurs are diurnal and arboreal, primarily feeding on leaves, fruits, and flowers, making them folivorous and frugivorous. They live in social groups led by dominant males and play a vital ecological role in seed dispersal.

In the Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka, an integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, grey langurs are often seen in the forest canopy and along open roadsides, acting as early sentinels for predators like tigers and leopards. Their presence signifies a healthy, functioning forest ecosystem — a harmony between intelligence, alertness, and ecological balance.