On the demand of Himachal Pradesh government, Rhesus Macaque monkeys have been declared as vermin at 38 tehsils of 10 districts in the state for a period of one yearby the Centre.
The state government had urged the Centre to declare Rhesus Macaque monkeys as vermin so as to allow their selective killing in certain areas keeping in view the damage to life, property and agricultural crops caused by those animals.
As per the notification issued by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the forest areas of the 38 tehsils however have been excluded from Schedule V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, an official spokesperson said.
Earlier, the Union government had declared monkeys as vermin in Shimla Municipal Corporation area for a period of six months and a petition challenging the notification is pending in the High Court.
