The Assam Forest Department is planning a statewide census of monkeys before launching a pilot sterilisation programme in identified human-monkey conflict hotspots. The move follows a State delegation’s study of Himachal Pradesh’s monkey management programme.

What is Assam Planning?

• The census will assess the monkey population and distribution and identify areas experiencing severe conflict with humans.
• The Forest Department and public representatives will identify problem hotspots. 
• After identifying problem hotspots a pilot sterilisation programme is expected to begin through two centres.
• The results of the pilot will determine whether the programme should be expanded across the State.
• The initiative is primarily aimed at reducing population growth and conflict, rather than eliminating monkeys from human settlements.

Lessons from Himachal Pradesh

• Himachal Pradesh began its organised monkey sterilisation programme in 2006 and has reportedly sterilised more than 1.86 lakh monkeys through eight centres.
• The State provides an incentive of ₹500 for every monkey trapped for sterilisation. 
• Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, with the change effective from April 1, 2023.
• The programme is estimated to have prevented around 8.5 lakh births, while the macaque population declined from 3.17 lakh in 2004 to 1.36 lakh in 2020.

Why is Assam Concerned?

• In rural areas, macaques damage paddy nurseries, vegetables, banana, papaya and other horticultural crops, while urban populations raid homes, shops and gardens and may damage communication infrastructure.
• Repeated crop losses can also affect farmers’ livelihoods and food security, making human-wildlife conflict an economic as well as ecological issue.

Way Forward

A scientific census should precede intervention, followed by humane sterilisation, waste management, protection of crops, public awareness and habitat-sensitive planning. Relocation should be considered carefully because poorly planned translocation can simply shift conflict to another area.

Exam Hook: Key Takeaway

Assam’s proposed monkey census and pilot sterilisation programme reflects a shift towards evidence-based population management and conflict mitigation, while balancing human livelihoods with animal welfare.

Prelims Practice Question

Consider the following statements:

1. Assam plans to conduct a monkey census before beginning a pilot sterilisation programme.
2. Himachal Pradesh began its organised monkey sterilisation programme in 2006.
3. The rhesus macaque was removed from Schedule II of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, through the 2022 amendment.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: 1, 2 and 3 only.

One-line wrap: Assam’s proposed intervention highlights the need to combine scientific population assessment, humane animal management and community-based conflict mitigation.