The Forest Department claims to be undertaking sterilisation of macaques to supposedly resolve the human-monkey conflict but the people especially of mountainous regions lambast the department for not taking effective measures despite expending crores of rupees.
The monkey sterilisation centre constructed about two years ago at Kaudiyala along the Chamba-Mussoorie road presents an example of departmental inefficiency with almost nothing being done beyond construction of the structure.
The human-monkey conflict has continued to escalate, exacerbating the woes of farmers and other people residing in mountainous regions. Due to macaques regularly raiding farms and cultivated lands in search of food, a number of farmers have started turning away from cultivation.
It is pertinent to mention here that about two years ago, the forest department had constructed the monkey sterilisation and ‘rescue’ centre at Kaudiyala at a cost of about `40 lakh. Departmental officials had then stated that the monkey sterilisation centre has the capacity to accommodate 500 simians at a time. After conducting sterilisation of the simians brought here, the plan was to keep them at the shelter for a few days to recuperate before releasing the sterilised simians in the jungles.
The construction of this centre had sparked hope among the villagers who were expecting that functioning of the centre would help bring the human-simian conflict situation under control. In the initial days, some simians were captured but were released a few days later considering issues like the provision of food for these monkeys. The department had planned to conduct sterilisation of monkeys at this centre but neither has the operation theatre been constructed nor have the required veterinarian doctors been appointed. Further, the centre also faces problems related to the supply of electricity and water.
Veteran Chipko Andolan activist Dhoom Singh Negi said that the rich biodiversity in the forests has been reduced drastically with water sources also being affected. Due to this, the monkeys turn to human habitations in search of food which has prolonged the human-simian conflict in the state.
The department’s forest range officer of Tehri, Nl Dobhal said that at present the sterilisation cum rescue centre does not have an operation theatre and other basic facilities.
The issue of providing food for the captured monkeys and the sterilisation scheme is pending at the administration level, he added.