Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 11.1 Managing human-macaque conflict in
Himachal, India
Sandeep K. Rattan
Himachal Pradesh is a small state in the northern region of India that has
more than six million people spread over a geographical area of 55,673 km
2
.
The state boasts a rich biodiversity due to extreme variation in elevation ran-
ging from 350 m to 6975 m above mean sea level. The climatic conditions
vary from semitropical to semiarctic resulting in great variety of floral and
faunal species. Although there is a lot of geographical separation of species,
the rhesus macaque (
Macaca mulatta
) has made its presence felt in almost
all parts of the state. In a survey conducted during the year 2003-4, the rhe-
sus macaque population was estimated to be over 317,000
1
. For Himachal
Pradesh managing this large population of macaques has never been easy.
This conflict is more than a century old, but in the past, the macaque popu-
lation was concentrated in forests and a few townships. At that time, the
species enjoyed a status of respectable wildlife. Unfortunately, over the
years this has taken a downward spiral and today they are close to being
declared vermin. The massive destruction of natural habitat due to defor-
estation, construction activities, and depletion of natural food sources has
forced more macaques to move near human dwellings. Continual feeding
by the millions of tourists and religious devotees visiting the state annually
has further aggravated the situation. As a result, macaques have fast adapted
to an easier way of life and have left their natural habitats to forage in gar-
bage dumps and along highways.
Human-macaque conflict is highly seasonal and location specific. During
and immediately after the monsoons, the natural habitat has more than
enough feeding opportunities for macaques, especially in rural areas and
thus instances of conflict are minimal. In contrast, during lean months of
the year conflicts rise sharply since natural food is scarce. In urban areas,
there is direct conflict between humans and macaques, with many instances
of aggression against humans, pilfering, damage to property, etc. In rural
areas, conflict is more indirect and projected more at massive crop raid-
ing and farm destruction. Economic losses from this conflict are extreme
for an area where the dependence of people on agriculture and horticulture
reaches as high as 66.71 percent
2
. This conflict with macaques has resulted
1
Official figures of monkey population estimation by Forest Department, Government of
Himachal Pradesh, during the year 2003-04
2
Official data of Himachal Pradesh Government (http://hpplanning.nic.in/Statistical%20
data%20of%20Himachal%20Pradesh%20upto%202009-10.pdf)
