Lecture held at DLRC on ‘Changing Ecology of Human–Macaque Coexistence’

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 23 Sep: Doon Library & Research Centre organised a special lecture during its evening session today on the changing relationship between humans and macaques (monkeys), and the emerging challenges faced by non-human animals amid rapid urbanisation. The lecture was delivered by Prof Anindya Sinha, a leading primatologist and Professor at the University of Trans-Disciplinary Sciences, Bengaluru.
The initiative of Doon Library & Research Centre to organise lectures on such subjects is aimed at promoting public discourse on issues related to the environment, society, culture and science.
Prof Anindya Sinha discussed the changing circumstances of human–macaque coexistence in India, its social and ecological implications, and the challenges that may emerge in the future, citing several examples.
Prof Sinha said that the Indian subcontinent has a long tradition of coexistence between non-human animals and human communities. One of the reasons for this has been the religious and cultural attitudes towards nature and animals prevalent in Indian society. In particular, several non-human primate species have traditionally held an important place in the religious beliefs of various Indian communities. This has contributed to a form of social coexistence between humans and these animals over a long period.
However, he pointed out that rapid urbanisation is creating new circumstances for this traditional coexistence. Environmental degradation in forests and natural areas, changes in agricultural land use, expansion of residential areas and increasing human pressure have affected the natural habitats of several primate species. The impact is not limited to protected forests; it is also being felt in areas where humans and wildlife have historically lived in close proximity.
Using examples of the bonnet macaque and the rhesus macaque, found in different parts of southern and northern India, Prof Sinha explained how the lives of these primates are changing rapidly. The availability of food in human-created environments has influenced their behaviour, movement patterns and social structures. Food provided by people, as well as food available in gardens, agricultural fields, fruit orchards and garbage dumps, is attracting these animals away from their natural habitats and towards human settlements.
He emphasised that these changes are not limited to food availability. To survive in constantly changing habitats, primates are also modifying their behaviour. In these new socio-ecological environments, increasingly influenced by human activities, they are adopting new strategies for survival. In many places, increased contact between humans and primates is also resulting in situations of conflict.
The subject is particularly relevant in the context of rapidly developing cities such as Dehradun. Prof. Sinha noted that the pace of urban expansion has increased in recent years, particularly in small and medium-sized cities. The shrinking of agricultural areas, wetlands and forested areas along the urban periphery is replacing natural habitats with new environments dominated by roads, asphalt, concrete structures and human settlements. Under such circumstances, increasing contact between humans and wildlife is inevitable.
He also stressed that monkeys should not be viewed merely as a “problem”; rather, it is important to understand their behaviour and the changes taking place in their habitats. Human behaviour and urban planning are also important components of this entire scenario. If urban expansion takes place without considering the structure of natural areas and wildlife movement patterns, human–wildlife conflict may become increasingly complex in the future.
The programme was attended by Chandrashekhar Tewari, Programme Officer, Doon Library & Research Centre; Prof. Govind Singh; Saumya Prasad; former Chief Conservator of Forests Rajiv Bhartari; Jairaj; Shivam; Sunder Singh Bisht; Shiv Prakash; Piyush Badoni; Jageshwar Prasad Joshi; Ajay Sharma; B.S. Rawat; C.P. Mathpal; Dr. V.K. Dobhal; Devendra Kandpal; J.S. Pasbola; Surendra Sajwan; Gaurav Bartwal; Shiv Joshi; Alok Sarin; G.S. Bisht; Pooja Upadhyay; along with several senior forest officers, citizens interested in environmental and wildlife issues, researchers, scholars, students, and a large number of readers.
The participants also raised questions related to the conservation of natural habitats and measures to reduce human–wildlife conflict.