Why Legal Protection Is Needed for Rhesus Macaques Despite Their High Numbers

Context:

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has recommended reinstating the Rhesus Macaque under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

• The species was removed from Schedule II in 2022, which led to serious concerns regarding unregulated management, cruelty, and illegal capture.

• Experts argue that high population numbers do not eliminate conservation risks, especially in human-dominated landscapes.

Key Highlights:

Policy and Legal Developments

• Proposal to re-list Rhesus Macaques under Schedule II to:

  • Restore legal safeguards

  • Regulate capture, handling, and population control

• Removal in 2022 weakened the Forest Department’s authority to intervene scientifically.

Need for Scientific Management

• Primatologists stress the importance of:

  • Systematic data collection

  • Evidence-based population control

• Lack of legal cover complicates:

  • Sterilisation programmes

  • Ethical conflict mitigation

  • Monitoring of exploitation and trafficking

Human–Wildlife Conflict

• Rising conflicts in urban and peri-urban areas due to:

  • Habitat fragmentation

  • Food availability from human sources

• Unscientific trapping and relocation:

  • Increases disease transmission

  • Raises mortality due to predation and stress

• Municipal bodies lack technical expertise in primate management, necessitating Forest Department leadership.

Detailed Insights:

• Experts recommend zonal management strategies:

  • Conservation Zones: Minimal human interference

  • Co-existence Zones: Public sensitisation and non-invasive measures

  • Management Zones: Sterilisation and controlled intervention

• Sterilisation programmes, such as those in Himachal Pradesh, are cited as:

  • Humane

  • Scientifically validated

  • Effective in conflict reduction

• The sharp 82% decline in Bonnet Macaque populations over 35 years illustrates how:

  • Even “common” species can rapidly decline

  • Absence of monitoring can mask long-term threats

• Ecological role of Rhesus Macaques:

  • Important seed dispersers

  • Support forest regeneration and ecosystem balance

• Public feeding of monkeys worsens conflict; behavioural sensitisation is key to sustainable management.

UPSC Relevance (GS-wise):

GS Paper 3 – Environment & Ecology

• Human–wildlife conflict management

• Species conservation beyond endangered categories

• Role of science-based wildlife governance

GS Paper 2 – Governance

• Legal frameworks for wildlife protection

• Institutional roles: NBWL, Forest Departments

• Evidence-based policymaking

Prelims Focus

• Wildlife (Protection) Act schedules

• NBWL functions

• Concepts: Human–wildlife conflict, sterilisation programmes, ecological services