Monkeys out of protected list, wildlife dept seeks funds from Shimla MC for sterilization drive

“Since rhesus macaque was excluded from the list of scheduled or protected species, it is no longer considered a wild animal. For the last two years, we have not been receiving funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) that were earlier used for sterilization programmes. Now, the responsibility falls under the civic bodies. If SMC provides funds, we will continue the programme, which requires significant resources and manpower. We already have infrastructure and veterinary experts in place,” Shahnawaz Ahmad Bhat, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Wildlife), Shimla, told The Indian Express.

Bhat met Attri at the latter’s office on Monday.

On average, Shimla records 50–55 monkey bite cases every month. The sterilization of each monkey costs around Rs 700, covering its capture, surgery, and release into the wild. Currently, the department undertakes sterilization only in response to emergency calls, but even this ad-hoc system may soon be phased out due to lack of resources.

Eight sterilization centres function in the state at Shimla, Bilaspur, Mandi, Una, Solan, Paonta Sahib (Sirmaur), Kullu, and Hamirpur. A 2004 joint survey by the State Wildlife Department and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) had estimated the monkey population at 3.7 lakh. By the 2023 census, the number had reduced to 1.36 lakh, largely due to the sterilization programme launched in 2006.

Between 2006 and 2023, at least 1.86 lakh monkeys were sterilized across the state. According to a senior wildlife officer, the programme prevented the potential growth of nearly 8 lakh monkeys, based on lifespan and breeding capacity projections. “Yet, the problem persists in urban areas due to open feeding practices and deforestation. Rural areas are comparatively less affected,” the officer added.

Despite sterilization efforts, incidents of monkey attacks remain routine in Shimla.

Vijender Mehra of Shimla Nagrik Sabha, a civic society group, said, “There is hardly a single day when a monkey attack is not reported in Shimla. You can’t walk freely on Mall Road, towards Jakhu Temple, Chhota Shimla near the Secretariat, or even in residential areas. People are forced to use airguns, monkey-repeller guns, slingshots, and other makeshift tools to keep monkeys away. The MC must act firmly.”

On Sunday, Shimla Nagrik Sabha staged a protest outside the MC office demanding a comprehensive policy on stray animals, including monkeys and dogs. In their memorandum, the Sabha alleged that civic debates remain confined to paper, while residents continue to live in fear of attacks. They demanded scientific culling of aggressive monkeys in a phased manner and strict action against indiscriminate feeding of monkeys and dogs in public areas.

Attri admitted that civic bodies now shoulder the responsibility. “Technically, the monkey is now categorized as a stray animal. Tackling this menace falls under Urban Local Bodies in towns and Panchayats in rural areas. At present, civic bodies are focused on dog sterilization. We are in touch with the Wildlife Wing, which stopped monkey sterilization due to lack of funds,” he said.

Attri added that the process would “take time to streamline,” but assured that coordination with the wildlife wing was underway.