Dr. Mukesh Kumar Chalise: Nepal's First PhD Holder on Monkeys Discusses Human-Monkey Conflict and Solutions

Dr. Mukesh Kumar Chalise is the first person in Nepal to earn a PhD on monkeys. He is a professor at the Central Department of Zoology, Tribhuvan University, and Nepal's leading primatologist (monkey expert).

He has conducted in-depth research on monkey species found in Nepal, their behavior, ecological status, and human-monkey conflict. In 1998, he conducted the first research on Himalayan monkeys in Nepal, for which he received the 'Martha Jane Galante Fellowship', a research award for the first time in Asia. He was honored with the highest biology award from NAST and the Ministry of Forests in Nepal (2075/076).

Chalise, who also worked as a Fulbright Scholar at the Washington National Primate Research Center in the USA, has been guiding many students and researchers in wildlife conservation and research in Nepal. In recognition of his significant contributions to wildlife conservation, primatology (study of monkeys), and science in Nepal, he has received numerous prestigious national and international awards and honors.

Narendra Raula of Ratopati interviewed monkey expert Dr. Chalise, focusing on how to solve the problems caused by monkeys in Nepal, the dangers they pose, and the food crisis. Here is the edited excerpt of the interview with Dr. Chalise-

• You did your PhD on monkey behavior, social structure, and reproductive processes. Why did you prioritize the subject of monkeys?

I wondered how I could do something new in life that would benefit many people. Looking at society, I observed the common people. Since the west was less developed than the east, I focused more on the west in my research. Among animals, many foreigners supported research on tigers, bears, rhinos, or elephants, and there was a possibility of earning money and building houses in Kathmandu. I challenged such social environments.

Monkeys are among the most neglected animals in Nepal. However, we and monkeys share similarities in physical structure, behavior, nature, life cycle, and social systems. Therefore, by studying monkeys living in their natural habitat, I thought about how we could help our human society, which is being influenced by artificial things, or how that knowledge could lead our human society towards advancement. That's how I decided to pursue that study.

In that study, I focused more on food. Because there is a food crisis worldwide. People in other countries have been making food using various natural substances and plant parts.

In science, doing a PhD or doctorate means discovering something new. The person who discovers that new thing is a scientist, but not everyone with a PhD may be a scientist. Science is not just about launching rockets; things happening in our homes are also science. Because science is understood as a separate subject in our society, people with such thinking mock, asking what is there to study about monkeys. Nowadays, since I am knowledgeable in that subject, they believe me and seek advice.

• After completing your PhD on monkeys, you have gathered information about monkey species, their diet, and lifestyle. How many species of monkeys are there in Nepal, and what is their status?

There are three main species of monkeys in Nepal. One is the langur monkey, also called the 'dhedhu' monkey. It has white fur and a black face. There are three subspecies of this monkey. The langur monkeys found in Shuklaphanta, Baitadi, Dadeldhura, and near the Apinampa mountain range are different subspecies. But their original lineage is the same.

Similarly, there are other types of monkeys found from Dumauala down to Khandeswari Ghusa, and the Latinath area, which we call black monkeys. Because they live in the cliffs, I call them 'pahare' monkeys. In English and Hindi, they were called Assamese monkeys. I have researched that there are two species and two subspecies of these Assamese monkeys in our country. The ones found in our Seti and Mahakali regions with slightly red faces are one subspecies of these 'pahare' monkeys, and those found from Makalu-Barun in the east down to the Barah region and Ilam are another subspecies.

We see red monkeys in monasteries and temples everywhere. These monkeys, found from the Terai to Rara National Park, are introduced monkeys, not native. They are clever monkeys who wander around looking for food.

Currently, people complain about monkey species causing trouble. Mostly, it is this red species of monkey that causes trouble. After that comes the 'pahare' monkey, and then the langur monkey. This red monkey can store food in its throat and eat it later by regurgitating it, similar to cattle. It is very mischievous and causes damage to property and crops. If this monkey enters a cornfield, one can carry away four to five cobs at a time.

• There are occasional voices raised in Parliament for monkey control. Have any MPs consulted you, sought your advice, or asked for help?

Not so far; they are knowledgeable in their own right. Our MPs and ministers are so strange that they can talk about flying airplanes and launching rockets. During elections, they talk about building bridges, irrigation, forest management, and even human management. This is the trend here. There is never a culture of respecting knowledge or seeking advice from experts. Therefore, they do not contact me.

I have experienced the Panchayat era, the post-referendum Panchayat era, the reformed Panchayat, the multi-party system, the republican system, and the federal system. I have presented my findings in various programs attended by forest ministers and prime ministers of all systems, but none of them have taken steps to implement them.

It is currently the rainy season. It is the corn season. The paddy is just starting to form grains, and the corn is also becoming milky. Therefore, when there is nothing to do initially, there is a lot of talk about monkeys throughout this rainy season. You can see last year's newspaper news; there is talk about monkeys throughout the rainy season. Why? Because monkeys are eating crops during this time. After Ashwin-Kartik (mid-October to mid-November), when the corn is ripe, the monkeys move away. This topic then disappears again.

• Some people say monkeys should be killed, while others say they should be sterilized. What can be done for monkey control? What is your opinion on this?

It is said that even in intelligent beings like humans, sterilization can lead to loss of masculinity. In wild animals, the final conclusion about the effects of sterilization cannot be drawn. If you try to catch one monkey for sterilization, no other monkey in that group will come near you. So how will you do it? It is impossible. It was attempted once in India, but it was unsuccessful.

Some people also suggest that monkeys must be killed. Not all monkeys are equally criminal. If a monkey needs to be removed from a group because it is causing excessive trouble, the government bodies can kill it with the advice of experts. If there is a particularly mischievous and useless monkey among them, it can be killed. This is also internationally accepted, but killing does not mean killing all of them. Not all of them cause damage.

There are no people to chase monkeys away in the villages. Everyone is abroad. Nepal's strong labor force is outside. Employment can be provided in the form of watchmen. Different monkeys in different places have different characteristics. If we study this and move forward, it will be useful. Otherwise, it will be just like playing Deusi during Dashain-Tihar. When the rainy season starts, monkey talk begins, even though wild boars, porcupines, paddy birds, deer, and wild pigs also cause equal trouble, but the talk about others does not come up. Why? Because they are good at hiding. Since monkeys are visible, they get more attention. It is necessary to resolve this.

• Monkey problems are adding challenges to food security. How can this be resolved?

There is only one solution: we need to identify which grains attract monkeys. This varies by location. We need to identify the grains that attract monkeys, determine the number of monkeys in the vicinity, and identify the main crops they target, and then help cultivate alternatives. The Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Forests should do this work.

Wildlife researchers and monkey researchers should be involved to report on these issues. Based on that report, we need to study where and how people are suffering, which crops are causing problems, and what alternatives can be used for those crops. Studies should be conducted at the village and ward levels.

Let me give an example: monkeys caused trouble in Mangal Bazaar, Lalitpur. Monkeys were damaging the tiles and slates of various structures in temples and palace areas. This caused damage and accidents. Then the municipality called me. When I studied, there were only 19 monkeys. The monkeys were removing tiles to eat the mold and insects in the soil beneath them. The removed tiles were falling and hitting tourists. After discovering this, repairs were made to prevent the tiles from being removed. Now the monkeys cannot remove the tiles like that. The problem was solved this way. Once we identify the specific reasons and methods by which monkeys cause damage, and which items or grains they target, we need to devise solutions accordingly.

It is appropriate to adopt different management measures according to the location. Second, the most mischievous monkeys must be caught and dealt with. They can be kept in zoos at the municipal or regional level, and if they are very sick or mischievous, they should be killed. If they are the most mischievous, they must be killed, but that is not a complete solution to the problem. Not all groups, and not all monkeys in a group, are criminals. We need to identify through research which monkeys are more mischievous or cause damage and make a list. If we count the number of monkeys and work on alternatives for their food, such problems can be managed quickly.

• What are the immediate actions the government should take for monkey management?

Immediately, at the municipal level, representatives should study the situation, and if damage has occurred, provide relief on the spot and compensation for the damage. Second, list which grains are most frequently attacked, how much damage is done? How much for which farmer? Some may have lost one 'muri' (a unit of grain), others ten 'muri' – separate figures should be calculated.

What should the rural municipalities and municipalities do? They should provide assistance by going to different places. In the process of providing assistance, local agricultural technicians and forest employees should work together to ascertain the actual extent of the damage, and based on that data, relief should be distributed. Taking that data, identify what causes the damage and what alternative crops can be grown. Agricultural technicians should recommend these alternative crops, and since not all recommended crops will be consumed locally, they should be purchased through cooperatives.

For example, if monkeys eat a lot of corn, plant other crops instead of corn. Where will they sell it? The government should establish a purchasing center in the concerned municipality, where they can sell their produce and get rice, corn, and pulses they need. The harvested crops can be transported to other parts of the country. This is how management can be considered.

Saying things like 'Either the monkeys live or I live' is not helpful. Once we disrupt this natural structure, that structure will eventually cause trouble to humans. Monkeys are still in their natural state. Therefore, they never do anything else up or down. But we are not in a natural state; we are in an artificial state. Monkeys in city temples are more diseased. Look at Pashupati and Swayambhu, how many diseased monkeys are there? In biology, every creature has a carrying capacity in its habitat. If 100 people board a boat in a river, it will sink. Research should be done on how many monkeys or elephants a forest habitat can sustain. Based on that carrying capacity, we need to adopt measures on how many to keep and how many not to keep. If managed this way, the creatures will survive, humans will survive, and nature will remain. Otherwise, being extremist, it will only be a matter of 'you leave or I leave'.