Kathmandu, May 13: The local government in Nepal has taken an unusual step to address the chaos caused by monkeys in several hilly regions. The Laligurans municipality has announced a public holiday to tackle the monkey menace. On this day, residents will collectively work to drive monkeys away from fields and settlements.
Laligurans municipality is located in the Tehrathum district. A public holiday has been declared on Jeth (1), which falls on May 15, to conduct an operation against the “Rato Bandar,” or rhesus macaques, that are wreaking havoc on crops and vegetables.
These mischievous monkeys have been destroying maize, potatoes, millet, fruits, and vegetables on a daily basis. Farmers have suffered significant losses due to this situation. It has become so dire that farmers are forced to guard their fields overnight, while many school children are abandoning their studies to protect crops.
A notice issued by Mayor Arjun Mabuahang stated that the monkey problem is often underestimated, but it has severely impacted the livelihoods of rural farmers. The notice emphasized, “Farmers are compelled to stay awake all night to protect their crops. This has affected not only their economic situation but also the education of children and the daily lives of families.”
The municipality announced a two-day campaign on May 15 and 16 to drive monkeys out of the municipal boundaries. Farmers, local representatives, staff, and residents have been urged to participate at designated locations and times set by ward offices.
Mayor Mabuahang remarked, “This issue may seem trivial, but it has negatively impacted farmers’ livelihoods. Monkeys are destroying the maize, potatoes, millet, fruits, and vegetables cultivated by villagers.”
The municipality has also deployed personnel to monitor areas most affected by the monkeys and established temporary posts. According to officials, monkey patrols have been set up in areas such as Ward 8’s Megha, the border of Wards 6 and 8 at Nageshwari, and Ward 5’s Singhathap. Currently, four staff members are working to drive monkeys away from settlements and fields.
Mabuahang noted that when personnel were first deployed to control the monkeys at the start of his term, many mocked the initiative. He stated, “At that time, people considered it a minor issue, but now farmers are disheartened.”
He has appealed to the federal government to recognize the monkey issue as a “national problem” and to implement long-term solutions. Mabuahang stressed, “It is not possible for local governments alone to resolve this issue. The federal government must introduce solid policies and programs to protect agricultural production and relieve farmers.”
The municipality is also planning to plant fruit trees like guava and pear in community forests to provide food for monkeys in the forests, thereby reducing their presence in settlements and fields.
In recent years, monkey attacks on crops in Nepal’s hilly districts have become a significant problem, with farmers bearing the brunt of the consequences. Authorities and communities have attempted various measures, from traditional scaring techniques to technical solutions and sterilization campaigns, but success has been limited.
According to The Kathmandu Post, in 2024, the mayor of Diktel Rupakot Majhuwagadhi municipality, Tirth Raj Bhattarai, staged a hunger strike in Kathmandu, demanding a national policy for managing monkeys and other wildlife.
Despite these efforts, the government has yet to find effective measures to control the monkey menace. A study conducted with the assistance of the Gandaki Provincial Ministry of Industry, Tourism, Forests, and Environment did not recommend strict measures due to the religious significance of monkeys in Hinduism, where they are worshipped as incarnations of Lord Hanuman. The study also indicated that methods like sterilization and capture would not effectively control the monkey population.
Nepal is home to three monkey species: the rhesus macaque, Assamese monkey, and Hanuman langur. Nepal is also a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), which prohibits the export of protected wildlife without government permission. Violators may face imprisonment of 5 to 15 years or fines ranging from 500,000 to 1 million Nepalese rupees, or both.
The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act includes the rhesus monkey in the list of protected animals, making its export without government permission illegal. However, the act does not mention measures to control protected animals that pose threats to people and agricultural production. Officials have also suggested establishing a “Monkey Park.”
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My name is Bhupendra Singh Chundawat. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including technology, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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