As govt goes for kill, monkeys find support from animal lovers

THE GOAN NETWORK | JANUARY 20, 2016, 12:00 AM IST

Photo Credits: MONKEY

----------------

VERMIN IMBROGLIO

----------------

INTENTION OF GOA GOVT

To control Monkey Fever detected in some villages of Sattari taluka and to put an end to destruction of crops and nuisance caused by simians

LICENCE TO EXTERMINATE

Initiating the process to declare monkeys as vermin will allow the State govt to hunt them down or cull without restriction

ANIMAL LOVERS ANGRY

Activists flay govt decision, say government Article 51 (A) decision is in contravention with Article 51 (A) of Constitution of India

SOLUTION ON OFFER

Plant more wild and forest trees bearing fruits on which monkeys are known to feed and protect the existing trees and habitat

MONKEY REPELLANT SUBSIDY

A ‘monkey repellant’ costs anything between Rs 4,500 to Rs 13,000. Animal lovers want the the govt to study these devices and give subsidy

--------------------------------------

PANAJI: Animal rights activists, environmentalists and those active in rescue of animals have denounced the State government’s decision to declare monkeys as ‘vermin’.

Pointing out that monkeys spread diseases, destroy crops and cause nuisance, the State government disclosed during the recently-concluded Assembly session that it has initiated the process to declare monkeys as vermin, which would allow them to be hunted down or culled without restriction.

Speaking to The Goan, President of Animal Rescue Squad (ARS), stated, “This decision of the government is wrong. Wild animals do lead to crop losses. But doesn’t mean we declare them as vermin and hunt or cull them mercilessly and without restrictions. The list will keep growing if such precedent is set.”

Singh observed that the core issue lies in the destruction of monkeys’ habitat through cutting of trees and deforestation.

“Sustainable solution would be to plant more wild and forest trees bearing fruits on which monkeys are known to feed and to protect the existing trees and habitat,” he said.

It was pointed out that as monkeys live in troops, electronic devices such as power fencing are ineffective in keeping them away.

Singh informed that the only device which has proved to be effective in keeping monkeys at bay is the ‘monkey repellant’.

Costing anything between Rs 4,500 to Rs 13,000, these computer speaker-like machines produce high intensity ultrasonic sound waves (10-65 KHz) and can be bought online. The device works within a radius of 30 to 200 meters.

Although the sound waves are out of the range of hearing of humans and most household pets, except pests, they attack the auditory and nervous system of simians thereby confusing, disorienting and intimidating them and eventually driving them away.

“Study these devices and check their feasibility instead of allowing reckless killing of monkeys and give subsidy if found effective,” Singh suggested.

ARS held that the government Article 51 (A) decision is in contravention with Article 51 (A) of Constitution of India which lays down the duty that Indian citizens shall protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers and wild life, and to have compassion for living creatures. “Although this section is not legally binding, the decision goes against the spirit of our Constitution,” Singh said.

Hanumant Parab of ARS was of the opinion that the government decision is unfortunate.

“What they do is driven by their instinctive search for food. Also, human settlement is widening with every passing day and is encroaching on their habitat,” Parab stated.

Parab urged the government to create awareness to protect the existence and habitat monkeys. “We live in one ecosystem and it is our duty to protect the ecosystem in its entirety,” he held.

Environmentalist Rajendra Kerkar observed that this strategy to curb simian menace is against the spirit of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. He stated, “This is a hurried decision and by calling monkeys ‘vermin’, the government is paving the path for decimation of the species.”

Maintaining that the government should consider appointing a committee to devise a different plan of action, Kerkar held,“Declaration of monkeys as vermin will only empower certain elements from the society to kill them without restrictions.”

An animal lover, Clinton Fernandes, also voiced disapproval. “I don’t support this decision. It will actually increase the risk to the lives of other animals as well because people will start having arms and ammunition.”

He further opined that the list of animals hunted and poached instead of becoming shorter will then also include monkeys.

Share this