Forest dept finishes simian count in Shimla

› As the simian adapted to the new environment they started snatching things like food, spectacles and cameras from people. RAMESH KANG, chief wildlife warden

SHIMLA: In order to curb the monkey menace in Shimla, the wildlife wing of the state forest department has carried out an estimation of simians’ population in the capital town.

The four-member team was assisted by the eco-task force and the exercise was held from July 16 to September 4.

In the first of its kind exercise, a team of the forest department chased monkey troops in the town to gather data on their estimated numbers and also collected various information about the species that would help the department in controlling their population in future.

The team, that has submitted its report to the chief wildlife warden, Ramesh Kang, observed that the troops of monkeys— males and females, adults and sub-adults area wise, their habits and behaviour and the reasons behind their living close to human population.

“The report puts the estimated number of monkeys in 31 wards (out of 34) at 1,700,” said Kang.

Some of the identified reasons leading to monkeys moving close to human settlements are loss of habitat, lack of natural resources and the expanding human habitation.

“This leads to conflicts over living space and food and thus results in retaliation,” he said, adding that as the simians adapted to the new environment they started snatching things such as food, spectacles and cameras from people. In the process, Kang said, monkeys attack children, women and tourists, due to which the monkey bite cases were also on rise in the town.

The report also highlighted that in many parts of Shimla, the monkeys are totally dependent on waste food found in dumpsters.

There are over 83 dumpsters in Shimla, and monkeys and langurs can be seen roaming around at least 45 dumpsters.

The report further stated that while the monkey troops move throughout the day in search of food, their roosting site is fixed, where they return at night.

The report also points out that the monkeys are breeding in an uncontrollable manner in the town due to the easy availability of food. “In towns and cities monkeys easily get food, while in forests they would need to spend 10-14 hours in search of food,” said Kang.

The primates in Shimla eat wild leaves, bark and fruits only, when there is scarcity of food.

“These details will help making strategy to control the monkeys’ population,” said Kang, adding that the report also stresses on the need to keep a check on feeding of monkeys and the garbage dumps to curb the monkey menace.