Ecological Study of Rhesus and Assamese Macaques and Their Conflict with Humans in Nagarjun Forest, Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Ecological study of Rhesus and Assamese macaques and their conflict with humans in Nagarjun forest Kathmandu, Nepal were studied from February 2012 to March 2013. Monkey population was determined by direct counting of the individuals in each group. Quadrate method was used to analyze vegetation pattern of natural forest or monkey habitat. The distribution of the monkeys wasfound 270 and 166 numbers of rhesus macaques and assamese macaques in 7 different blocks respectively. The total area of 16 km 2 was surveyed by total count method, questionnaire survey and behavioral data were collected by scan sampling method. Two species of monkeys, Rhesus monkey (Macacamulatta) and Assamese monkey (Macacaassamensis) were found in study area. Habitat shown their preference maximum in tree shrub area (45%), which is followed by rocky area (23%), smooth ground (14%), stream side (10%) and crop land (9%) by Rhesus macaques while Assamese macaque shows their preference maximum in tree shrub area (65%) which is followed by rocky area (17%), smooth ground (17%), and crop land (1%). Crop raiding was the main cause of conflict to human beings; Maize (57%) and wheat (28%) were reported to be the worst affected crops, whereas pulses (1%) were the least.Shouting and following (31%) as well as using stone and catapult (25%) were the common methods of deterrent against the macaques. Additionally, there were considerable reports of human attacks and harassment (31%). Translocated M. mulatta individuals were more problematic to the local humans than naturally occurring ones. Our findings further showed that the macaque problem has increased from <50% in 2011 to 92% currently. Financial compensation was suggested to be an effective measure to reduce human-macaque conflict in these areas (47%).For the resolution, outreach education program launched from October 2013 to January 2014 in four different schools which includes 400 students and teachers, the 75% were reported awareness is important. From study some mitigation point is recommended for the Government and villagers.