Page 14 - Jan - March 2021
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MONKEYS:-A MENACE?                                                              DID YOU KNOW?

                                                                                   According to studies, there will
      Monkey species such as the Rhesus Macaque and the Grey Langur are often
      found near temples or residential areas. Due  to their sacred status, they   be more than two lakh monkeys in
                                                                                       Agra district by 2022!
      are off ered food as off erings. Such practices have caused problems and
      confrontation with the primates.

      CASE STUDY: DELHI

      Monkeys in Delhi have been quite a menace. They are found
      in temples, areas like the Delhi Ridge forest and also Lutyen’s
      Delhi. To prevent monkeys from wreaking havoc in the city
      the forest department relocated around 23,000 monkeys to
      the Asola Bhatti Sanctuary in 2007. The government spent
      more than 1 crore to feed the monkeys vegetables and fruits.
      Additionally people were given rewards as high as Rs.2400 to
      catch monkeys. However, relocation was also not fruitful as
      monkeys returned to the cities, and became more aggressive.
      Tiameren Jamir, Class 4C, St. Columba’s School, New Delhi


      HUMANS VS MONKEYS

      HUMANS                        MONKEYS
       Destroy crops                      Human food
         and  result in                      causes skin
         crop losses                         diseases and
       Rousing fear                        stomach problems. .
         and intimidation                    Exchange of food
       Food snatching   Photo by: Harsh Yadav,   lead to diseases
       Raiding homes     Class 8A, Army Public   from humans to
                          School, Shankar Vihar,   monkeys and vice
       Breakage of          New Delhi
         wires and                           versa.
         impact on                          Obesity in
         electric supply                     monkeys is
       Attack on                           common in urban
         humans                              areas and shorter
                                             lifespans.
       Diseases and
         monkey bites    Illustration by: Moses Luka,    Increase in the size  e
                           Class 4E, St. Columba’s   of monkey troops
                            School, New Delhi


       STEPS TAKEN
                                                                                              Source: DTE/CSE Data Centre, August 2015
       In order to control monkey population, several attempts have been made:
        Relocation of monkeys in nearby national parks and sanctuaries.          ACTIVITY:
        Some states allowed their culling. However, this was strongly opposed    MONKEY STUDY
          by animal welfare organisations.
                                                                                   Based on all the information
        Employing langurs and langur mimickers by Delhi Government to move
          them to nearby parks.                                                    here, write an essay in 200
                                                                                   words on the Monkey Menace.
        Successful sterilisation drives.
        Setting up rehab centres.



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