Culling monkeys best solution, say Himachal legislators

Shimla, March 20 (IANS) Culling stray monkeys is the best way to contain their growing numbers which, according to a recent census, have reached 350,000, averred Himachal Pradesh legislators on Friday.

Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal asked the chief minister what steps his government has taken to get vacated the stay imposed by the high court on killing monkeys who are destroying crops.

During Question Hour, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh told the house: "Culling of monkeys is the best solution."

Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmouri said that according to the census conducted by the wildlife wing, the population of monkeys in the state was 350,000.

"We have approached the central government to allow export of monkeys or declare them vermin so their culling can be done," he said.

Dhumal said monkey-menace was a serious issue and their culling was the only way to get rid of them.

Himachal Lokhit party member Maheshwar Singh expressed concern over the rise in monkey attacks on humans.

The chief minister said the issue was a matter of concern. "Culling is the most effective step to control their population but it's difficult in our society for legal reasons. Sterilisation is the second best solution," he said.

He said the state high court in 2011 restrained the state government's decision to allow farmers to shoot monkeys who destroyed their crops and fruits.

He pointed out that the high court has restrained the permissions given by the divisional forest officials (to issue permits to the farmers to shoot the monkeys) but not the (central) legislation.

The chief minister added: "... people are not killing them because of religious purposes. There is no law which prohibits their killing."