Monkey invasion in Kashmir

The daily appearance of troops of monkeys in forest-fringe habitations such as Ayethmulla - Chitternar (Bandipora) and Gund (Kangan) has created panic among residents. Until recently, monkeys were rarely sighted in these areas, but their repeated migrations, with steadily increasing troop numbers, are now becoming a routine menace. Local newspapers (Greater Kashmir, 17th and 20th August, 2025) and social media videos have vividly captured the distress of residents; particularly women, who not only manage households but also play a central role in agricultural work, and thus bear the brunt of the monkey incursions.

The consequences are alarming: severe damage to fruits and vegetables, ransacking of household goods, theft of stored food, and sudden aggressive encounters resulting in injuries to children and the elderly. Monkeys typically move in troops of 15 to 20, lingering in villages for hours each day. Their dominance, boldness, and ability to enter kitchens multiply risks manifold. In forests, a monkey spends 10 to 14 hours foraging, constrained by food scarcity, water limitations, and predators - factors that keep populations naturally in check, with up to 80 percent dying before adulthood. But in human habitations, abundant and easily accessible food means survival improves dramatically, causing populations to swell and spread into the nearby villages, town and cities.

The economic cost can be staggering. Himachal Pradesh alone lost agricultural produce worth ₹2,200 crore between 2007 and 2012 due to monkey raids. In Karkala taluka near Mangalore, nearly 800 small farmers gave up cultivation after monkeys destroyed three-fourths of their crops in 2012. A similar threat now looms over Kashmir’s smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are already precarious.

Unlike leopards or black bears that stray sporadically, and usually act alone, monkeys arrive daily in organized troops. Their repeated and sustained presence means that damage is continuous and cumulative, impacting not only crops and property but also human safety and health. Other wild animals like foxes, though occasional visitors have still transmitted deadly zoonotic diseases. Alarmingly, recent reports by Prof. Khuroo, gastroenterologist of international repute on liver tumors linked to Echinococcus multilocularis (from fox fecal contamination of crops) have already heightened fear in forest-fringe populations.

Monkeys, being primates closely related to humans, pose an even higher zoonotic threat. They can transmit serious viral (Mpox, Herpes B, HIV-1, Hepatitis-, Foamy virus), bacterial (Tuberculosis, Shigellosis), and parasitic (Malaria, gastrointestinal parasites) diseases. Many of these infections are far more dangerous to humans than to monkeys, and transmission can occur through bites, scratches, contaminated food, or contact with monkey excreta. The unsanitary habits of the monkeys further increase the risk. A long-term monkey invasion, therefore, is not only an agricultural and economic disaster but also a looming public health emergency. Continuous disease surveillance and monitoring in humans and animals in the affected areas under ‘one health initiative’ therefore need priority.

The root cause is attributed to habitat destruction and ecological imbalance. Deforestation, drying water bodies, and shrinking food resources in forests push monkeys into villages, where they discover a more reliable food supply. Once habituated to human settlements, they return persistently, emboldened by repeated success and lack of deterrents.

Wildlife management and mitigation of human-animal conflict rest primarily with State/UT governments, with financial and technical support from the Centre under schemes like Development of Wildlife Habitats. The National Zoo Policy also provides for scientific rescue and rehabilitation centres. Guidelines exist: formation of rapid response teams, identification of conflict hotspots, interdepartmental coordination, and provision of ex-gratia relief for human injuries and deaths.

Practical mitigation strategies suggested include: 1. Awareness campaigns discouraging deliberate feeding of monkeys, 2. Deterrents such as drums, loudspeakers, firecrackers, ultrasonic guns, and acoustic devices, 3. Sterilization and vasectomy programs to check monkey population growth, 4. Monkey-proofing houses with mesh coverings, 5. Agro-ecological adjustments like shifting crop patterns, planting monkey-repelling trees (e.g., monkey puzzle tree Araucaria araucana), 6. Use of trained langurs or dogs to scare away troops and 7. Capture and translocation to reserves with food and water provision.

Unfortunately, in India, no state has yet succeeded in effectively controlling monkey overpopulation despite experimenting with many of these strategies. Globally, mixed results have been achieved. In Hong Kong, sterilization over 80 percent of macaques since 2009 drastically reduced nuisance cases. In Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand, a combination of relocation, culling, feeding bans, garbage management, and electric fencing has shown promise.

With the 2nd International Conference on Hangul and Ungulates being held at SKUAST-Kashmir, on September 10-12, 2025, reportedly the global experts will discuss several important issues; one of the key themes is “Human - Wildlife Interface: interactions, community engagement and mitigation”. Hope the monkey crisis in Kashmir will also receive due attention. Strong recommendations and actionable strategies must emerge - not just more reports that gather dust.

Ignoring the problem is no longer an option. Kashmir cannot afford to repeat the mistake of delaying action, as seen with the street dog crisis, which was neglected over decades until it spiraled into a near-unmanageable menace. The monkey invasion is not merely an agricultural or nuisance issue - it is an ecological imbalance, an economic threat, and a public health time bomb waiting to explode. The concerned agencies must act decisively, adopting a multipronged, science-based strategy before the situation slips beyond control. If the problem is ignored, the monkey menace may prove far more devastating than the canine crisis. It is time to nip this evil in the bud - before our rural and urban life is irreversibly scarred.

Prof. Mujeeb Fazili, former  Associate Director Research (A.S) & former Head, Division of Veterinary Clinical Complex, FVSc & AH (Shuhama), SKUAST-Kashmir