The Kerala State Forest Department has taken a significant step aimed at addressing the growing conflict between humans and bonnet macaques in urban and rural parts of Kochi and adjoining areas. In a proposal submitted to the state government under the recently launched Mission Bonnet Macaque, forest officials have recommended a comprehensive set of measures designed both to control the primate population responsibly and to reduce the frequent clashes with residents, farmers, and shopkeepers.
The proposal calls for a systematic census of macaques in conflict-prone areas — with estimates suggesting as many as 14,000 macaques currently living in residential and business districts. A workshop held with international wildlife experts, local environmental activists, scientific researchers, and representatives from agricultural communities helped shape the recommendations, which combine immediate conflict-reduction tactics with long-term population management strategies.
One of the central strategies proposed is the establishment of veterinary intervention units and humane capture equipment to manage problem animals. Given that the bonnet macaque is listed under **Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act — offering the highest level of protection — any interference such as birth control or capture requires prior central government approval. This legal status makes the proposal complex, prompting the forest department to seek clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Local residents and farmers have long complained about macaques raiding crops, foraging in garbage dumps, and venturing into homes and markets — issues that have increased with urban expansion and shrinking forest habitats. The proposal thus places equal emphasis on habitat management, community awareness, and waste control measures to deter monkeys from human settlements.
If approved, these measures could set a precedent in Kerala’s approach to human–wildlife coexistence — balancing ecological protection with public safety and livelihood interests.
News as reported
