Himachal Pradesh Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri has urged the Union environment ministry to declare monkeys as "vermin" for one more year as they are causing damage to crops and injuring human beings.
Bharmouri called on the Secretary of Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change at New Delhi and asked him to extend the time period for killing monkeys under the notification issued last year, wherein they were declared vermin in 38 tehsils of the state, for one more year.
He suggested that the Centre should consider translocation of a part of the monkey population to the North East in consultation with authorities concerned, as that region has suitable habitat for the animals.
Bharmouri also requested fora review of Exim Policy and the export of rhesus monkeys banned in the year 1978 be removed.
He requested the Centre for clearance of Rs 1,300 crore project 'Himachal Pradesh: Forests for Prosperity', which aims at speeding up pace of economic development and enhancing rural livelihood.
The minister also demanded a pair of tigers and Asiatic lions for Renukaji and Gopalpur Zoos respectively.
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