KATHMANDU . The Government of Nepal has declared wild red monkeys an agricultural pest for a period of one year, allowing farmers to chase, capture, or drive away the animals if they damage crops on private farmland.
The Ministry of Forests and Environment published the decision in the Nepal Gazette on Thursday, marking the second time the species has been officially classified as harmful to agriculture.

Under the new provision, farmers may take action if wild red monkeys enter private fields, orchards, or cultivated land and cause damage to crops or property. Authorities said that no legal penalties will apply if a monkey dies during efforts to drive it away, provided the action follows the government’s stated conditions.

However, the ministry clarified that such measures are strictly prohibited within protected areas, including national parks, wildlife reserves, hunting reserves, conservation areas, and national forests.
The government first declared the wild red monkey an agricultural pest in January last year amid growing complaints from farmers. In recent years, increasing crop raids by monkeys and wild boars have become a major challenge for rural communities, leading to significant financial losses.

Conditions and Reporting Requirements:
According to the ministry, farmers may act individually or collectively if red monkeys cause harm to crops or property. If captured alive, the animal must be handed over to the relevant authority, such as the National Park Office, Wildlife Reserve Office, Hunting Reserve Office, Conservation Area Office, or the nearest Division Forest Office.

If a monkey dies during attempts to drive it away, it must be buried in the presence of at least one ward representative and five local witnesses. The incident must also be reported to the relevant park or forest office and to the local ward authority.
Government offices are required to submit bi-monthly reports to the ministry detailing any incidents involving the killing of red monkeys.

Officials say the temporary designation aims to provide relief to farmers while maintaining conservation safeguards within protected areas.