Population Status and Conservation Threats to Assamese Macaque (Macaca Assamensis M’clelland, 1840) in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park, Nepal
Date
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Central Department of Zoology
Abstract
Systematic studies of less common primate species Assamese macaque is rare in Nepal,
so to explore the population dynamics and threats to the macaque this study was carried
out in the Nagarjun Forest of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (SNNP) from August
2017 to July 2018. A total of 145 Assamese macaques (Macaca assamensis) were
encountered in 7 groups within the total area surveyed of 16 km² in Nagarjun Forest of
SNNP by head count or direct count method. The group density was found to be 0.4375
groups/km² with a crude (population) density of 9.0625 individuals/ km² and a mean
group size of 20.7142 individuals, range 11-41 individuals. Age-sex composition of
macaque comprised 18.621% adult males, 24.138% adult females, 13.793% sub adult
male, 11.034% young female, 9.655% Juvenile male, 11.724% juvenile female and
11.034% were infants in the study area. The adult sex ratio and the recruitment rate
were found to be 0.771:100 (77male per 100 females) and 2.187:1 (218 female per 100
infant) respectively. Total 16 Quadrate of 20x20m, 44 plant species with 376 number
were recorded from Nagarjun forest. This study revealed that Chilaune (Schima
wallichii) is the dominant plant species with relative density 10.37% and relative
frequency 8.27% followed by Musure kattus (Castonopsis tribuloides) with relative
density 9.30% and relative frequency 7.51%. In the two buffer zone VDCs of Nagarjun
forest, questionnaire survey was conducted to the local people who are directly
involved in agriculture and reported crop raiding as the major problem. Crop
mostly preferred includes maize (53.17%), Wheat (15.6%), Millet (7.33%), Paddy
(11.93%), Vegetables (7.56%) and Fruits (4.41%). To protect crop fields, local peoples
used patrolling and guarding the fields (42%), Tin-box and throwing stone with
“Catapult” (13%), using dogs (11%), shouting and chasing (24%), and other methods
like fencing with thorny twigs, trapping and caging, scarecrows etc. (10%) were used.
Only 15% of the respondents approved that monkeys should be conserved, a majority
of 85% don’t feel that it is necessary to conserve the animal. Majority, 52% of local
respondent agreed with retaliatory killing was the major threats to monkey, meanwhile
13% agreed with encroachment, 12% habitat destruction, 6% forest fire, 8% disease
and 9% respondents stated they have no idea about the threats to monkey. Most of the
local peoples (49%), suggested proper monetary compensation is appropriate for the
reduction of intensity of conflict, 21% of people said that they should be killed, 19% of
total respondents stated that translocation of monkey is another remedial measure.
Patrolling and guarding of the crop field by security personnel (Army, Armed Police
force) on the regular basis, was suggested by 6% and 5% of respondents didn’t have
any suggestion to give.
Key words: Assamese monkey, Crop damage, Nagarjun forest, Population
distribution, Threats, Vegetation.