This splendid reserve is home to the Hoolock Gibbons, the only ape species found in India. This reserve is very well protected by the local Garo community of the West Garo Hills. This reserve is the pride of the entire village and the people are very sentimental about this reservoir. This reserve is situated in the West Garo Hills in Meghalaya.
The Hoolock Gibbon is associated with an age-old legend. It is a traditional belief among the Garo tribe that if Hoolock Gibbons were killed, the entire village would be destroyed by a dark curse or a famine. So, people from the Garo community never hunt or kill them. The Rombagre Falls, which is a popular picnic spot, is also located nearby this reserve. The Rombagre Falls is a fish sanctuary. It is a clear water pool in the Simsang river which is also well preserved and protected by the local Garo community.
The Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve has two traditional houses of the Garo community, called Nok Achik. There is also a training centre for boys known as Nok Pante. The best time to visit this sanctuary is from November to January. There is a helicopter service to this sanctuary. The nearest railway station is the Guwahati Railway Junction. Taxi services are also available from Guwahati, Shillong and Tura. It is 176 kms. from the city of Guwahati to this sanctuary, 192 kms. from Shillong to Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve and 45 kms. from Tura to this reserve. NH 17, NH 37 AND NH 51 connects Tura to Selbagre Hoolock Gibbon Reserve. The nearest accommodation can be found in the town of Tura located in the West Garo Hills.
