Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Rhesus Macaques to Get Legal Protection Again
Some monkeys called Rhesus Macaques are important for nature because they help new trees grow.
But sometimes, people think there are too many of them and they cause problems.
So, a special government group and many scientists are saying these monkeys should get protection again, like they did before.
This will help stop people from hurting them or capturing them illegally.
It will also help scientists manage them better and figure out how people and monkeys can live together without too many conflicts.
National Board for Wildlife's standing committee proposed reinstating Rhesus Macaques under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
This move aims to restore legal protection against illegal capture, cruelty, and regulate scientific management.
Primatologist Mewa Singh led a campaign supported by over 60 experts advocating for the monkeys' protection.
Rhesus Macaques play a crucial ecological role in seed dispersal, aiding natural regeneration.
Reinstating protection is expected to improve conflict management and facilitate co-existence between humans and monkeys.
- Who
- The National Board for Wildlife’s standing committee and primatologist Mewa Singh, supported by over 60 experts
- What
- Recommended reinstating Rhesus Macaque species under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- When
- Recently
- Where
- India
- Why
- To provide statutory protection, enable scientific management, and prevent illegal trafficking and cruelty.
Protect Rhesus Macaques
Manage Monkey Population
Legal Protection
Protect Rhesus Macaques
Restore statutory protection to prevent illegal capture and cruelty.
Manage Monkey Population
Regulate scientific management to control population growth.
Conflict Management
Protect Rhesus Macaques
Improve conflict management with local committees headed by divisional forest officers.
Manage Monkey Population
Adopt sterilisation and sensitize people to not feed monkeys to reduce conflict.
- Species
- Rhesus Macaque
- Proposed Action
- Reinstate Schedule II protection under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Key Proponent
- National Board for Wildlife's standing committee
- Reason for Reinstatement
- To restore statutory protection, combat illegal capture and cruelty, and regulate scientific management
- Expert Endorsement
- 60+ primate and wildlife experts, including from Germany and USA
- Ecological Role
- Seed dispersal, contributing to natural regeneration