Syllabus

GS 3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment

Context: 

Recently, the Kerala Forest Department launched ‘Mission Bonnet Macaque’ to reduce human-wildlife conflicts.

More on the News:

• Kerala may carry out mass sterilisation of Bonnet macaques as a step to control their growing population.
• The Kerala Forest Department will soon request approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change to sterilise the Bonnet macaque, a species native to South India.

About ‘Mission Bonnet Macaque’

• The Forest Department prepared “Mission Bonnet Macaque” as part of a 10-point plan to reduce human-wildlife conflicts. 
• The sterilisation drive, along with other measures, is included in this mission.
• After wild pigs, the Bonnet macaque is the second animal species in Kerala for which population control measures are being planned.
• However, unlike pigs that are being culled, the plan for monkeys involves sterilising selected groups in specific areas and then releasing them back into their natural habitats. 
• The sterilised macaques will be kept under care temporarily to allow their wounds to heal. Kerala had earlier carried out a few isolated monkey sterilisation efforts.

About Bonnet Macaque

• The bonnet macaque (Macaca radiata) is a species of Old-World monkey. 
• It has grey-brown fur, large ears, wrinkled faces and a distinctive tuft of hair parted in the middle, resembling a cap which gave him the name “bonnet” macaque.
• These monkeys are endemic to peninsular India and are known as commensals, meaning they often live close to human settlements and depend partly on human environments for food and shelter.
• IUCN Status: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule l
• According to the IUCN assessment, the bonnet macaque is found in several Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat.
• Studies show that the bonnet macaque population is declining sharply, with reductions of up to 65% reported in some parts of its natural range.