Conservation and Compensation: Tackling the Human-Monkey Conflict in Himachal Pradesh
Context
The death of a woman following a rhesus macaque attack in Shimla has brought renewed attention to issues surrounding human wildlife conflict, compensation and institutional responsibility. The legal status of the rhesus macaque also changed significantly following the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022, after which the species was removed from the wildlife schedules.
Key Highlights
- Himachal Pradesh has undertaken extensive monkey sterilisation programmes to control rhesus macaque populations and reduce crop damage and human wildlife conflict. Official data recorded more than 1.86 lakh sterilisation procedures by March 2024.
- The change in the legal status of the species in 2022 has affected the distribution of institutional responsibilities. Monkey related issues in urban areas increasingly involve municipal bodies and local administrations, while coordination with forest departments remains important.
- Human wildlife conflict is influenced by several factors beyond wildlife management. Urban expansion, food waste, deliberate feeding, habitat disturbance and fragmentation can alter animal behaviour and increase human animal encounters.
- Changes in the legal status of a species can also create questions regarding compensation for people affected by wildlife related injuries or deaths and their eligibility under existing state compensation mechanisms.
- Addressing the issue requires a combination of measures, including sterilisation, safe capture and relocation where suitable, proper waste management, prevention of animal feeding, habitat management and public awareness.
Key Concepts
- Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta): A widely distributed Asian macaque species that has historically been associated with human wildlife conflict in several parts of northern India.
- Human Wildlife Conflict: Negative interactions between humans and wild animals that may result in injuries, crop losses, livestock or property damage, or threats to wildlife.
- Wildlife Sterilisation: A population management method that reduces the reproductive capacity of animals without relying on lethal population control.
Way Forward
An integrated human wildlife conflict management strategy should involve municipalities, forest departments and local communities. This can include scientific population monitoring, improved waste management, sterilisation where appropriate, measures to discourage animal feeding and a transparent compensation mechanism for affected people.