Monkeys declared vermin in Himachal, can be culled

The notification issued last month stated that the state has reported damage to life and property, including large-scale destruction of agriculture by this species of monkeys in areas outside forests.

Vermin are those wild animals that are harmful to crops, farm animals or who carry diseases.The notification stated that the government has “considered it necessary” to mitigate the damage to human life, crops and properties for ensuring conservation of wildlife in forest.

The decision has not gone down well with Union Minister Maneka Gandhi who said there was “lust” for killing in the Environment Ministry, but Environment Minister and her Cabinet colleague Prakash Javadekar defended it, saying the step was taken as per law on the request of the Himachal government.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by section 62 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 (53 of 1972), the Central Government, hereby declares Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta)... to be vermin for inclusion in Schedule V of the said Act, for a period of one year from the date of publication of this notification,” the Ministry’s notification said.