Relocation of Bareilly monkeys to Pilibhit Tiger Reserve stalled over wildlife concerns

Image for representational purpose only. Photo Courtesy: File pic

A plan to relocate monkeys captured from residential areas of Bareilly to the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve has hit a roadblock for want of a suitable release site and concerns about the spread of infectious diseases among wildlife, officials said on Friday.

The reserve administration has objected to releasing monkeys from outside the protected forest area, citing potential risks to wildlife and the natural ecosystem.

The Bareilly Municipal Corporation had planned to capture the monkeys, conduct health examinations and release them at a suitable location. It wrote to the chief conservator of forests in Bareilly on September 29 seeking help in identifying an appropriate site.

Chief Conservator of Forests P Singh said monkeys living in urban areas frequently come into contact with humans and depend on garbage or food provided by people.

"Releasing such monkeys into a forest environment can alter their behaviour and feeding habits and affect the natural ecosystem. If they are carrying an infectious disease, there is also a risk of transmission to other wildlife," he said, adding that releasing animals from outside into the protected Pilibhit Tiger Reserve was not appropriate.

A senior scientist in the wildlife department at the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, A M Pawde, said monkeys could transmit diseases such as tuberculosis to wildlife.

Contact with the saliva, faeces, urine or other bodily secretions of infected monkeys could increase infection risk, he said, stressing that health screening and identification of a suitable release site were necessary before relocating them to any forest area.

Pilibhit Divisional Forest Officer Manish Singh also expressed concern that the sudden arrival of urban monkeys could disrupt the natural food cycle.

Unlike monkeys accustomed to forests, those captured from residential areas might struggle to adapt to the new environment, he said.

Their presence could also damage bird nests and rare vegetation, he added.

Bareilly Divisional Forest Officer Diksha Bhandari said animals captured in urban areas could not simply be released into forest areas and that a decision on identifying a suitable natural habitat was still pending.

Municipal Commissioner Sanjeev Kumar Maurya said the municipal corporation was responsible for capturing the monkeys, while the animal husbandry department was responsible for examining their health. No permission had so far been received to release them in the Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, he said, adding that the forest department would have to identify a suitable site.

The municipal corporation will seek the formation of a joint committee at the district magistrate's level, comprising officials from the forest department, municipal corporation and animal husbandry department.

The proposed committee will decide on the capture of monkeys, their medical examination, selection of an appropriate location and arrangements for their safe relocation.

The plan remains on hold until a suitable site is identified and the concerns regarding wildlife safety are addressed, officials said.

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