Monkeys have again been declared vermin for the next one year in 11 districts’ 91 tehsils and sub-tehsils of Himachal Pradesh.
The Centre has issued a notification on February 14, 2019 and this notification would be applicable for a period of one year.
Centre urges that it is necessary to declare monkeys as a vermin species as these animals have been adversely affecting crops and causing harm to humans.
Designation of Vermin
Vermin refers to pests or nuisance animals which spread diseases or destroy crops or livestock.
In India, Section 62 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 empowers the states to send a list of wild animals to the Centre requesting it to declare them vermin for selective slaughter.
Such wild animal shall be included in Schedule V of the law, depriving them of any protection under that law.