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We Asked: With an international alert sounded for Mpox, shouldn’t the district administration take responsibility for the stray monkeys that have risen in numbers in urban localities? They have been abandoned by the forest department for being as civic as the street dogs …
Given the recent international alert for Mpox, the issue of rising stray monkey populations in urban areas has become more pressing. The stray monkeys, often abandoned or overlooked by wildlife management authorities, pose potential health risks and cause significant public concern. The district administration must assume responsibility for this issue, given the intersections of public health, safety, and urban management. The recent man-animal conflict in Uttar Pradesh is a harsh reality, the natural habitat of animals is being destroyed due to human greed for land, forest fires, and other natural calamities that force animals to venture into human settlement. Firstly, the forest department's primary role is the conservation and management of wildlife in natural habitats. However, when these animals enter urban settings, they are outside their natural environment and can become a problem for residents. The forest department might not always have the resources or the mandate to manage these animals within city limits effectively. This gap in responsibility necessitates that the district administration step in to address the situation comprehensively. The presence of stray monkeys in urban areas poses various risks, including the potential spread of zoonotic diseases such as Mpox. These animals can act as reservoirs or vectors for disease transmission, making it crucial to manage their populations and ensure that any health risks are mitigated. In addition, stray monkeys can cause property damage, create sanitation issues, and disrupt daily life, further underscoring the need for an organized response. The district administration should take a multi-faceted approach to address this issue. This could include Enhanced Monitoring and control: Implementing regular monitoring of stray monkey populations and developing a control strategy to manage their numbers safely and humanely. Public awareness and education: Launching public awareness campaigns about how to avoid attracting monkeys and the importance of reporting sightings. Collaboration with experts: Working with wildlife experts and veterinarians to assess the health of the stray monkey population and address any disease risks. Humane relocation: If necessary, work with wildlife rescue organizations to relocate the animals to suitable habitats where they can thrive without causing urban issues. Health Precautions: Implementing health precautions for both the public and the animals to prevent the spread of diseases like Mpox. In conclusion, while the forest department plays a crucial role in wildlife conservation, the district administration must take an active role in managing stray monkey populations in urban areas. A coordinated approach involving monitoring, public education, expert collaboration, and humane management practices will be essential in addressing the challenges posed by these animals and safeguarding public health. - Preeti Goswami, Ranikhet, Uttarakhand; Para Athlete(Para Swimmer, Captain Wheelchair Basketball Team, Motorsports), Social Activist from Kumaon. Awards: Ficci Flo Award (2017 For Social Work In Rural Sector), Daksh Divyang Award, Tuli Rauteli Award For Brave Women (2024)
Monkeypox is an uncommon zoonotic viral infection with symptoms similar to smallpox but with a less severe clinical presentation. The term Monkeypox was coined in 1958 following its discovery in the colonies of laboratory monkeys. It is endemic in some African countries. Following the outbreak in 2022. WHO declared monkeypox as a global public health emergency on 23rd July 2022. Despite the incidence of cases, outbreak preparedness by the WHO and national governments has contributed greatly to reducing the infectivity of this disease. Monkeys have turned to cities in large numbers mainly because of two reasons: degradation of forests and social acceptance by humans who started feeding them owing to “religious linkages” But this natural adaptation process wasn’t smooth. As monkeys started living among humans, the conflicts started and this has led to junk food addiction. The monkeys are losing their immunity to the junk food they are eating now. And they are getting infected with tuberculosis. Living close to humans can transfer human disease to monkeys. Monkeys hold the potential for another pandemic. They are vectors for many zoonotic diseases like herpes and rabies. It is also difficult to identify a sick monkey in the cities as they survive longer in urban areas as per many experts. The solutions to cities’ monkey problem require tactful work at the district administration level such as reviving the natural habitat of the monkeys and then relocating them there in their full social group or families. The second approach is sterilisation since monkeys multiply in large numbers and become a menace. Stop feeding junk foods could also help to a great extent but the court must step in firmly directing the government to create awareness amongst humans as it is affecting monkeys’ immunity thus making them susceptible to disease and parasitic infections. Most monkeys are a protected species under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife Protection Act (though rhesus macaques have recently been withdrawn from this protection). They also serve an important role in the forest ecosystem. Monkeys disperse seeds because they have a plant-based diet. A healthy forest will always have monkeys in it and without forest humans can’t survive. - Manoj Kumar Chaturvedi, a bank employee, and animal activist
According to experts, there are several underlying causes for this issue – the displacement of monkeys from their natural habitats to human settlements. The destruction of their natural homes and the prevalence of monoculture forests are among the main factors driving monkeys to relocate. In a broader perspective, specialists also highlight that the scarcity of prey and loss of habitat are compelling wild animals to seek food in urban areas, increasing conflicts between wildlife and humans. Over time, we have created a significant problem by destroying the forests and communal spaces where these animals would typically reside. Additionally, plantation forests only serve as a source of timber and do not provide fruit for the monkeys to feed on. As a result, they have migrated to urban areas in search of sustenance. The inadequate management of garbage and waste disposal in these areas has also played a role, as it has provided the monkeys with an abundant supply of food through leftovers. Consequently, these animals have adapted well and learned to coexist with humans in urban environments. Hence district administration should take responsibility for the stray monkeys. The Delhi government has attempted various methods to address the issue of monkeys, including hiring Ravi Kumar to mimic langur noises. Kumar, employed by the government, produces the sounds of the Himalayan baboon in residential areas, government facilities, and public health centres to scare off the monkeys. In addition to relocating the monkeys to sanctuaries outside of the city, another proposed solution for addressing the issue of monkeys is to regulate their population through sterilization. A novel method of Immuno-contraception has been developed, involving the administration of a vaccine to female monkeys to prevent them from reproducing. The initiative is intended to manage the population. -Monika Raghuvanshi, Secretary, National Youth Parliament of India, District Coordinator, Indian Biodiversity Conservation Society
After the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global emergency due to Mpox outbreaks, attention shifted to the role of wild monkeys in urban localities. However, despite the virus’ misleading name, monkeys are not the natural reservoir for Mpox. The virus, which emerged in Africa decades ago, is typically found in squirrels, rats, mice, and other small animals, and zoonotic transmission to humans is possible when the animals are captured, confined, or transported. Monkeys, much like humans, can be accidentally infected with Mpox, but they are not the source. The virus is so named because humans first came across it in monkeys caged in laboratories in the 1950s. This has since fuelled the misconception that monkeys are to blame for spreading it today, whereas the WHO’s recent public health emergency declaration indicates that it is being passed from human to human in Africa. The rising number of monkeys in urban areas, who often fall outside of the protection of forest departments, should prompt a re-evaluation of our approach to wildlife management. Instead of viewing these animals as pests, there is a pressing need for responsible and humane solutions to manage their populations. Withdrawing protection from these animals heightens the risk of disease transmission, not because they are the virus’ reservoir but because close contact with humans can lead to accidental infection. Mpox is a reminder that treating animals as commodities can have serious public health repercussions. Our exploitation of animals for experimentation, food, clothing, or entertainment and other forms of abuse, such as encroaching on their habitats and failing to protect them, are contributing factors in the rise of zoonotic diseases. A compassionate, science-based approach to managing our relationship with animals is crucial to preventing future outbreaks – and of immediate importance is reinstating rhesus macaques as a protected species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, granting them the highest Schedule I protection.- Dr Anjana Aggarwal, Science Police Advisor, PETA India
Mpox is an infectious virus that causes fever, chills, and rashes. It is endemic and was previously found in African countries but of late many cases have been reported in American and European countries. People with multiple sexual partners are at high risk of acquiring Mpox. When we start talking of Mpox it first takes us to its acquired name Monkeypox which naturally brings us to believe that this disease originated from monkeys. But this is a misconception. The virus that causes Mpox was first discovered in 1958 in Africa when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease occurred in colonies of monkeys. Despite being named Monkeypox originally the source of the disease remains unknown. However, Mpox is thought to be found primarily in rodents - mice, rats, squirrels, guinea pigs, hamsters, dogs, and even monkeys but its roots in monkeys are not established. So, the monkeys cannot be blamed for causing and spreading Mpox. It's now believed that the term Monkeypox is a misnomer and the World Health Organization has announced that Monkeypox will now be known as Mpox after complaints over racist and stigmatizing language linked to the virus name. So far as the habitat of monkeys is concerned, they live in forests, orchards, mountainous terrains, and on trees in villages and urban regions. They are considered to be the ancestors of man; they behave like a man and live around man - in gardens and even in many temples as in Vrindavan and Varanasi. They move rapidly around in search of food and in doing so they spread seeds from plants flowers and fruits which act as a propagation of plant life and thus have an environmental impact. But their natural habitats – forests- are depleting due to deforestation for several causes like making roads, agriculture, etc. So, where their population is dropping, they are now moving toward social regions for their survival. Monkeys are an important component of the natural ecosystem and have to be protected. It does not require any specific effort to control them, but what is required is that stringent laws must be enacted and enforced to protect them within their natural habitats. -VP Srivastava, Member Commercial Tax Tribunal (retd), President C-CARBONS
Monkeypox or Mpox is a virus disease spread by monkeys. This outbreak started in Africa. The Monkeypox cases surged globally, so The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a Global Public Health Emergency. This Monkeypox virus can be passed on to humans by coming in contact with a Monkeypox-infected animal. The disease can be transmitted among human beings by coming in contact with the clothing, beddings, or towels used by infected persons who have rashes or skin blisters. A Monkeypox patient should seek medical help and cover his face properly with a mask, avoiding proximity to other people. The Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised people to stay away from those colonies that are inhabited by the monkeypox-infected animals. Monkey menace is a problem nowadays. They have been abandoned by the forest department. It is becoming a huge problem for the people who are living in cities as monkeys are shifting their base from forests to cities. Mainly, they come in search of food. The district administration must take necessary action to keep a watch on stray monkeys as Mpox is becoming a global threat. Cases are being reported in India as well- three cases in Kerala and one case in Delhi. The authorities must be vigilant in cases reported. Traveling should be avoided to African countries from where it originated. They should also visit localities to make people aware of this disease and to stay away from monkeys. They should also discourage people from feeding monkeys. Awareness should be spread for the timely detection of the disease. Monkeypox is spreading in India. Be alert and cautious about this virus. It is a request to all citizens of India to take this issue seriously and avoid contact with monkeys as far as possible.- Deepali Bahadur, entrepreneur and animal lover
दुनिया एक के बाद एक महामारियों की चपेट में आती जा रही है। कोरोना वायरस की महामारी के बाद अब एमपॉक्स वायरस दुनिया भर में फैल रहा है जिससे चेचक की तरह समस्याएं उत्पन्न हो रही हैं। विश्व स्वास्थ्य संगठन के अनुसार आजतक जितनी भी महामारियां हमारे बीच आई हैं, उनमें अधिकांश पशुजन्य अर्थात जूनॉटिक महामारियां रही हैं जिसका अर्थ यह है कि ये पशुओं से मनुष्य में आई हैं। जब हम पशुओं के साथ छेड़छाड़ करते हैं, उन्हें कैद करते हैं तो उनके भीतर के वायरस ज्यादा सक्रिय होकर अक्सर इंसानों के भीतर आ कर महामारी का रूप लेने लगते हैं और बढ़ते हुए वैश्विक तापमान के कारण भी वैज्ञानिक अनुमान लगा रहे हैं कि अतीत में निष्क्रिय हो चुके वायरस भी अब वापस सक्रिय हो सकते हैं। एम पॉक्स वायरस का पूरा नाम मंकी पॉक्स है क्योंकि सबसे पहले सन 1958 में यह वायरस डेनमार्क के एक प्रयोगशाला में उन बंदरों में देखा गया था जिनके ऊपर वैज्ञानिक परीक्षण के लिए वहां रखा गया था। लेकिन फिर वैज्ञानिक समाज में इसे मंकी पॉक्स नाम देने की काफी आलोचना भी की गई क्योंकि बंदर इसका स्रोत नहीं हैं। इसके बाद अफ्रीका के कांगो में 1970 में पहली बार इस वायरस का संक्रमण मनुष्य के भीतर देखा गया। मध्य एवं पश्चिम अफ्रीका जो मुख्यतः वर्षा वनों से घिरा है वहां अनेक जातियों के द्वारा बुश मीट अर्थात जंगली जानवरों का शिकार कर खाया जाता है और इसी रास्ते कई बड़े खतरनाक वायरस जैसे एचआईवी, इबोला आदि भी पूरी दुनिया में फैले हैं। एम पॉक्स का स्रोत भी किसी छोटे स्तनधारी प्राणी को ही माना जा रहा है जो कांगो बेसिन में रहते हैं। इसके अतरिक्त इस वायरस का संक्रमण चूहों, गिलहरियों, बंदरों और इंसानों के माध्यम से भी हो सकता है। इसका संक्रमण ऐसे प्रभावित व्यक्ति या पशु को छूने, ऐसे पशुओं को काटने, उनका चमड़ा निकालने या परिवहन करने, मनुष्यों में लैंगिक संबंध आदि से होता है और कमजोर रोग प्रतिरक्षा तंत्र वाले लोगों को यह ज्यादा नुकसान पहुंचाता है और बहुत ही कम संभावना होती है कि कोई इलाज कराने के बाद भी इससे मारा जाए। एम पॉक्स वायरस का कोई टीका अभी नहीं बना है लेकिन चेचक का टीका इसमें काफी प्रभावशाली माना गया है और साथ ही एंटी वायरल दवाओं से भी इसका उपचार किया जा रहा है। भारत में एम पॉक्स के फैलने का प्रमुख खतरा इंसानों से है लेकिन चूंकि यह वायरस अन्य स्तनधारी प्राणियों जैसे बंदर, चूहा, गिलहरी आदि को भी प्रभावित कर सकता है अतः इन पशुओं के संपर्क से भी बचना भी आवश्यक होगा। हालांकि अन्य स्तनधारी प्राणी जैसे गाय, भैंस, बकरी में इस वायरस के फैलने का कोई साक्ष्य अभी तक नहीं मिला है परंतु संभावना को देखते हुए वैज्ञानिक इसपर शोध कर रहे हैं। हमें बंदरों आदि वन्य जीवों को रिहायशी इलाकों, सड़कों आदि पर कुछ खिलाने से बचना चाहिए ताकि ये मानव बस्ती आदि की ओर रुख न करें। चूहों से बचने के लिए हमें घर में सफाई रखने, फर्श आदि पर कोई सामान जमा न करने आदि पर भी ध्यान देना चाहिए। -अभिषेक दुबे, पर्यावरण कार्यकर्ता, नेचर क्लब फाउंडेशन, गोण्डा
Topic of the month: Should the government pass a bill to relocate villages in forest fringes so that there can be a permanent solution /end to man-animal conflict? There will also then be less encroachment on forest land, hence the least provocation for wild beasts to foray into human settlements. You may send your views (either in Hindi or English) in 300 words or more to [email protected]. Please also attach a colour photo of yourself.
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