Study on Monkey – Human Conflict in Swayambhu Area,

Kathmandu, Central Nepal

SHANTI TAMANG
T.U Registration No: 5-33-327-2015
B.Sc. IV Year; Roll Number: 571

A proposal submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the

Submitted to
TRIBHUVAN UNIVERSITY
Institute of Science and Technology (IOST)
Department of Zoology Amrit Campus,
Lainchour, Kathmandu Nepal

October, 2018

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1. Introduction
1.1 Background

Nepal, a small country wedged between two massive continents India and china is very rich in
natural vegetation as well as wildlife. Thus, it has been a notable feature of Nepal. Among the
varieties of wildlife that is found in Nepal, monkeys are one of the abundantly found species.
Nepal shelters three types of monkeys, namely, Rhesus (RatoBadar), Assame (Pahare Bandar),
and the slender long-tailed monkey locally known as Hanuman Langur. The distribution and
some ecological characteristics of rhesus monkeys (Macacamulatta) and Assamese monkeys (M.
assamensis) in Nepal were conducted during 234 days in 1976, 1978, and 1984. Rhesus monkeys
dominated in the tropical, subtropical, and temperate forests below 3,000 m a.s.l. all over Nepal.
Assamese monkeys were patchily distributed along rivers in the tropical and subtropical areas.
Langur monkeys are distributed in the subtropical and temperate region. These species
principally utilized forests parapatrically. The mean troop size of rhesus monkeys (29.5) was
significantly larger than that of Assamese monkeys (19.1) (Kazou Wada, 2005). Likewise,
Rhesus monkeys and Langurs have common habitat thus their troop size is also almost similar
(Southwick, et. al, 1982; Bishop, 1979). The Rhesus monkeys (Macacamulatta), in the capital
city Kathmandu, live in close human Commensalisms fostered by religious beliefs. There are
two major crowded monkey sites: Pashupati and Swayambhu. The population of approximately
400 monkeys (often more than 300) in 5-9 social groups lives in the parkland at Swayambhu
Buddhist Stupa, a World Heritage on the western edge of Kathmandu.

1.2 Swayambhu

Swayambhu being home to one of the famous pilgrim’s site of Nepal is home for large number
of monkeys which lies in ward no.15 of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Swayambhu is one of the
populated sites of Kathmandu with a large populated of freely roaming rhesus monkeys. Besides
the glorious stupas other religious places and historic sites like ShobhaBhagwati, Gita temple,
Manjushree, LakhuTirtha and numerous Bhuddhist monasteries includes in the ward no. 15. The

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ward also consists of Chamati, Chagal, Arya Hiti and PandePhant regions. In Swayambhu,
rhesus monkeys have become a part of tourist attraction and anmy visitor interact with monkeys,
often by feeding or teasing them.

1.3 Relationship with Human

The many species of monkey have different type of relationships with Humans. Some humans
keep them as pet or some perform experiments on them in laboratories using them just as a model
to their research. Some are killed in monkey drive when they cause extensive damage to
commercial and subsistence crops. Monkeys that are habituated to human presence are taken as a
threat to Tourists for attacking them. And some monkeys are used as service animals for the
disabled. But in case of cultural perspective they are taken as a devotee of god.

1.4 Human –Monkey Conflict

When a species constructs its niche in urban areas, its aggressive behavior is likely to increase
due to competition for food and space (Camperio-Ciani, 1986). And it is no new thing that
human and monkeys have been sharing the same habitat since long ago. The Rhesus macaque
(Macacamulatta) is one of the species of non-human primates found in Nepal. They are widely
distributed throughout Nepal. And they are highly adapted to human proximity and have learned
to exploit human habitation (Srivastava, 1999). In urban areas of Nepal, Rhesus macaques are
found on roadsides, forests, canal banks and temples disturbing the normal habitat of human.
These actions of monkey raise conflict between human and monkeys which may lead to life
threatening level for both species.

1.5 Human – monkey conflict in Swayambhu area

Swayambhu being the home for large number of Rhesus monkey it is certain that, their mere
existence is causing problem to people living in that particular area. World heritage site
Swayambhunath also known as monkey temple is also located in Swayambhu which is a popular
tourist destination in Nepal. Every year different types of foreigners visit the heritage site for
several purposes and the monkeys residing in that particular place always causes nuisance to the
visitor. Not only are the monkeys being problem to visitors but also to the people living in that
area. Stealing foods and objects which attract them are nature of theirs which is very annoying to
the people around them. Other than that, monkey bites are really dangerous as they contain
viruses of deadly diseases like rabies, HIV and cancer. Therefore, a research will be done to
learn the Human- monkey conflict in Swayambhu area.

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1.6 Objectives

The major objective of research is to analyze the people and monkeys conflict in Swayambhu
Area (Kathmandu) of Central Nepal.

The specific objectives of the study were as follows:

1.7 Scope of the Study

The human-wildlife conflict is not a national issue, it is a global issue. In the case of Nepal, the
issue is more serious. This research will be helpful to identify the real cause of human - monkey
conflict and quantify the economic loss caused by the monkey in Swayambhu area. Similarly, it
will also help to look at how people are dealing with the issue and their thoughts towards the
monkeys. After analyzing the facts and figures, one can find out the solution for the monkeys in
the village. The findings of this research can be generalized to other places with similar
geographical features.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

Following are the major limitations of my research:

· The research will be carried out in the urban area of Nepal so it may not be used for
generalization in the rural area.

· This research will focus only on the monkey so the information may not be used for other wild
animals.

2. Literature of review

Rhesus monkeys are abundantly found primates in Nepal. Three genera of primates are reported
until now from Nepal (Chalise, 1997). The rhesus monkeys (Macacamulatta Zimmermann,
1780) are found freely ranging in wild as well as in urban religious places. The Langur monkeys
(Semnopithecus entellus Dufresne, 1797) are found freely ranging in wild forest and marginal
areas. These two species are common and widely distributed from tropical (Terai) to sub-alpine
(high mountains unto 12000 ft) regions of Nepal (Southwick, et. al, 1982; Bishop, 1979). The

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other macaque species, Assamese monkey (Macacaassamensis McClelland, 1840) reported from
mid-hills and high Mountain forest of Nepal (Chalise, 1997, Jackson, 1990).
The ecological distribution these primates are different from each other. Even though they vary
in the ecological distribution but a recent study shows that the primates are moving away from
their original habitat (The Himalayan Times, 2009). Due to this migration the number of
primates is increasing in the urban areas of Nepal. Recently, Assames monkey has made the
Nagarjun jungle as well as Shivauri and Phulchowki as their home. These primates are protected
species of Nepal and are sorely known for living in High cliffs and Rocky Mountains (The
Himalayan Times, 2016) which was confirmed by the wildlife expert Dr. Mukesh Kumar
Chalise.
The unexpected growth in number of monkeys in valleys is due to availability of easy food in the
urban areas especially in the religious grounds. According to the IUCN, the red monkey, also
called Macacamulatta, is one of the least concerned primates in the world. After humans, rhesus
monkeys are the most adaptable primate species. They can live in almost all environments from
tropical rainforests to deserts and a variety of conditions such as sea levels up to 4000 meters
high (Rowe, 1996). Thus, the rapid growth of Rhesus monkey population in recent times has led
to increased competition mostly for food and space between human and monkeys (Srivastava,
1999).

When a species constructs its niche in urban areas, its aggressive behavior is probable to increase
due to competition for food and space (Camperio-Ciani, 1986). This is evident in the case of
monkeys which become commensals and competitors of human being in and around villages,
towns and cities, these are “urbanized monkeys” (Rajpurohit et al., 2006). Though the primates
inhabit the supposedly Human area they are constantly under fire of mistreatment of ill-
mannered people, overcrowding and parasite exchange from feral animals and people. The
conflict between human and wildlife is not a new thing as it is present since the origin of Human
being.

Not only the aggressive behavior of monkeys is causing people the problem but also by raiding
the crops they are affecting the lives of Humans. The number of monkeys in Shivapuri national
park has tripled since the released number of 200 (The Himalayan Times, 2010). The most
current conflict between monkey and human in Hetauda shows that extreme action must be taken
otherwise both human and lives may be acutely affected (RNS, 2003). Therefore, the conflict
between Human and monkey is increasing (Chalise, 2013).

3. Materials and Methods (Methodology)

The research and survey will be mostly done in the ward no. 15 Swayambhu area while the data
analysis and other work will be done at the Ecology Lab, Department of Zoology of Amrit
Campus. The methods will be used to make the study even more comprehensive, scientific and

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effective. These methods are broadly grouped into three different parts: pre-field
study/reconnaissance survey, field study and post-field study.

Pilot study: This the pilot survey where survey is done to know the general features of the study
area.

Field study: The study area is visited and through several data collecting methods information
will be collected. The data collecting methods will includes questionnaire, interviews, group
discussion and observation. The data will be collected from secondary resources like internet,
books, past research works and magazines.

Post field study: The data collected through literature review and field study will be analyzed
and report will be written upon the facts on MS excel and MS Word.

3. TIME FRAME IN TABULAR FORM

The time duration of my work is mentioned below:

S.
Headings Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar.
N.

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
1. Literature review

✓ ✓
2. Conceptual
Design

✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
3. Field survey/data collection

✓ ✓ ✓
4. Results and discussion

✓
5. Thesis submission

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References

1. Chalise MK, Ghimire M Non-human primate census in different parts of Nepal. Bulletin of the
Natural History Society of Nepal.1998 (8): 11-5
2. Southwick, C.H. Teas, J. Richie, R. and Taylor, H. Ecology and Behavior of rhesus monkey
(Macacamulatta) in Nepal. National Geography Research Report, 1982(14): 619-630.
3. B.P. Ramesh. Monkeys are increasing in Nepal. The Himalayan Times, 2009
4. Chalise MK. Primate census in different parts of Nepal. Vol. 2 & 4, 2004: 3-5
5. Lisa Jones- Engel, Gregory A. Engel, John Heidrich, MukeshChalise, Narayan Poudel,
RaphealVisidi, Peter A. Barry, Jonathan S. Allan, Richard Granat and Randy Kyes. Temple
Monkeys and Health Implications of Commensalim, Kathmandu, Nepal, 2006 (6):1-3
6. Bhattarai, Hemraj, A case study of Human Monkey Conflict in Okharpauwa VDC of Nuwakot
District, Nepal, 2013: 1-2