Himachal Pradesh increases incentive for killing monkeys

The Himachal Pradesh government today increased the incentive for killing monkeys, which have been declared as vermin at 38 tehsils of 10 districts, from Rs 300 to Rs 500.
"A decision has been taken to enhance the amount for killing monkeys outside the forest area from Rs 300 to Rs 500 per monkey. The amount for sterilization monkeys have also been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 700," state Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said.
The increase comes just three months after the scheme was introduced due to the growing population of monkeys in Shimla town and 38 other tehsils in the state.

The state government has also approved Rs 1,000 per monkey to anyone who manages to capture 80 per cent of a herd in a particular area.
"In tehsils, where monkeys have been declared a vermin, a grant of Rs 1,000 will be provided to the Village Forest Development or Joint Forest Management Committees to hold workshops to curb the menace," the minister said.
The state government had urged the Centre to declare Rhesus Macaque monkeys as vermin so as to allow their selective killing in certain areas keeping in view the damage to life, property and agricultural crops caused by those animals.

Activists and animal lovers, however, have been protesting against the government's decision. They have repeatedly questioned the government's move and time and again suggested other ways to contain monkey menace in the state.