Syllabus
GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Context:
Recently, the Kerala Forest Department launched ‘Mission Bonnet Macaque’ to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
More on the News:
- Kerala may carry out mass sterilisation of Bonnet macaques as a step to control their growing population.
- The Kerala Forest Department will soon request approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to sterilise the Bonnet macaque, a species native to South India.
About ‘Mission Bonnet Macaque’
- The Forest Department prepared “Mission Bonnet Macaque” as part of a 10-point plan to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.
- The sterilisation drive, along with other measures, is included in this mission.
- After wild pigs, the Bonnet macaque is the second animal species in Kerala for which population control measures are being planned.
- However, unlike pigs that are being culled, the plan for monkeys involves sterilising selected groups in specific areas and then releasing them back into their natural habitats.
- The sterilised macaques will be kept under care temporarily to allow their wounds to heal. Kerala had earlier carried out a few isolated monkey sterilisation efforts.
About Bonnet Macaque
- The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) is a species of Old-World monkey.
- It has grey-brown fur, large ears, wrinkled faces and a distinctive tuft of hair parted in the middle, resembling a cap which gave him the name “bonnet” macaque.
- These monkeys are endemic to peninsular India and are known as commensals, meaning they often live close to human settlements and depend partly on human environments for food and shelter.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule l
- According to the IUCN assessment, the bonnet macaque is found in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
- Studies show that the bonnet macaque population is declining sharply, with reductions of up to 65% reported in some parts of its natural range.