Sikkim government started to sterilize monkeys in Gangtok
The Forest Department of Sikkim started sterilizing monkeys in Gangtok and nearby areas from September 18 to deal with the issues caused by these monkeys in the state capital. This is the first time in the Himalayan state to conduct a big monkey sterilization program.
This issue is causing problems in both urban and semi-urban areas of Sikkim and has become a significant concern for both the local residents and the authorities. They are encountering substantial challenges in their efforts to address this problem. In August, the government of Sikkim also said that if anyone found feeding monkeys have to pay a fine of Rs 5,000.
The Forest Department has identified three areas in Gangtok for conducting a sterilization operation to address the monkey issue. These areas include Namnang-Tashiling Secretariat, Dichenling-Tashi View Point, and Bulbuley. Forest Department officials have suggested that the best way to control the monkey population is to sterilize 80 percent of them and then release them back where they were found, without hurting them.
Officials from the Forest Department have expressed concern about the rapidly growing monkey population in Gangtok, driven by the abundant availability of food. This has become a safety and security problem for the community. These monkeys are gradually leaving their natural habitats and relocating to urban areas, causing distress among the local residents. The sterilization program will be extended to other urban regions within the state. Additionally, it will target certain rural areas where the monkey population has seen a significant growth in recent years.
Sandeep Tanbe, the Chief Wildlife Warden, explained that in the initial phase, more than 400 monkeys from three major groups will undergo systematic sterilization. He mentioned that the sterilized monkeys will be released back into the same areas where they were captured, with the exception of major urban areas. This approach aims to maintain their social structure, as these monkeys have become urbanized and may not thrive well in the wild. To facilitate this effort, veterinary officers in Gangtok will receive training from experts from Himachal Pradesh.
The sterilization program in Gangtok is a crucial step towards solving the problem. By sterilizing and relocating monkeys, the Sikkim government aims to ensure a balanced solution that respects the animals’ social structure while safeguarding community safety.
