HP to deploy eco-battalions

SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh government is now mulling to deploy eco-battalions to ward off the marauding simians from fields and public places.

“Currently, we have deputed 15 monkey watchers in Shimla,” principal secretary Tarun Kapoor said.

On March 14, the Union ministry of environment and forest had issued a notification declaring monkeys as vermin for six months in relaxation of Section 62 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act but the forest department failed to make arrangements to cull monkeys.

There are two eco battalions in the state stationed in Sunni and Larji.

The main objective of the eco battalions — comprising of ex servicemen — is to protect the flora and fauna of the state.

Now, with the government lacking expertise to the kill monkeys already declared vermin, it has decided to rope in eco-battalions.