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Nepal Declares Wild Red Monkey an Agriculture-Damaging Animal

The Nepali government has declared the wild red monkey an agriculture-damaging animal, permitting farmers to drive away or capture them without prior approval for one year. This move addresses intensified human-wildlife conflict caused by shrinking cultivation and expanding monkey habitats near abandoned land. The new rules specify procedures if monkeys are captured or killed, requiring reports to authorities, but do not apply within national parks or reserves. The issue has even entered local election campaigns, with candidates promising stronger wildlife management policies.

Key Points: Nepal Declares Red Monkey a Crop-Damaging Pest

  • Farmers can chase/capture monkeys
  • Rule valid for one year
  • Killed monkeys require burial with witnesses
  • Rule excludes protected areas
  • Monkey menace a campaign issue
2 min read

Nepal declares wild red monkey agriculture-damaging animal

Nepal allows farmers to chase or capture wild red monkeys damaging crops, addressing human-wildlife conflict. New rules for one year.

"farmers may individually or collectively drive them away or capture them - Ministry of Forests and Environment"

Kathmandu, Feb 13

The Nepali government has formally declared the wild red monkey an agriculture-damaging wild animal, allowing farmers to chase away or capture the animals without prior approval from authorities.

By publishing a notice in the Nepal Gazette on Thursday, the Ministry of Forests and Environment said the declaration will remain valid for one year.

Shrinking cultivation and expanding forest cover around abandoned land have unintentionally increased monkey habitats, leading to intensified human-wildlife conflict.

Rampant raids by monkeys on private farmland, causing massive crop damage, have forced many farmers to abandon cultivation.

Growing incidents of human-wildlife conflict are being reported across the country, where wildlife conservation successes have sometimes increased pressure on farming communities in the absence of adequate mitigation measures.

"According to the notice, if wild red monkeys enter farmers' fields and cause damage to crops or to life and property, farmers may individually or collectively drive them away or capture them. However, the rule does not apply within national parks, wildlife reserves, hunting reserves, conservation areas, or national forest areas," the Ministry added.

If a red monkey is captured, it must be handed over to the concerned national park office, wildlife reserve office, hunting reserve or conservation area office, division forest office, or the nearest subordinate office.

"If a monkey is killed during efforts to drive it away, it may be buried in the presence of at least one representative of the concerned local government and five local witnesses," according to the notice.

"Information about the incident must be provided to the national park or forest office, as well as to the local ward office," it said.

If red monkeys are killed, the concerned offices must submit detailed reports to the Ministry every two months.

In the eastern district of Dhankuta, some candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5 have also made the monkey menace a campaign issue.

They have once again promised fencing, compensation schemes, and stronger wildlife management policies as part of their election agenda.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting policy. The balance between conservation and human needs is so delicate. The requirement to have witnesses for burial and submit reports shows they are trying to be responsible, not just giving a free pass.
P
Priya S
My uncle is a farmer in Himachal and monkeys are a huge problem there too. Entire apple orchards can be ruined. Governments need to find long-term solutions, like safe relocation or creating buffer zones, not just reactive measures.
R
Rohit P
Good move! When wildlife conservation succeeds, it sometimes creates problems for people living nearby. The article says forest cover expanded, which is great, but now we need to manage the fallout. Farmers shouldn't bear the entire cost of conservation.
M
Michael C
While I understand the farmers' plight, declaring an animal "damaging" and allowing capture feels like a step backwards for wildlife protection. Could lead to misuse. Hope the monitoring and reporting rules are strictly enforced.
K
Kavya N
It's become an election issue there too! Shows how serious it is for local communities. Promises of fencing and compensation are common here in India as well, but the delivery is often slow. Hope Nepal does better.
V
Vikram M
The rule doesn't apply in protected areas, which is sensible. The conflict is mainly in the

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