India's monkey menace is Tajikistan's bounty!

[Guest guest]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/839234.cms

 

India's monkey menace is Tajikistan's bounty!

 

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 04, 2004 08:10:50 PM

 

SHIMLA: Harrassed and perplexed by its huge monkey population, the

Government of Himachal Pradesh has decided to export them to Central Asia,

specifically to Tajikistan.

 

Monkeys in the state, particularly its capital, Shimla, are largely seen as

a nuisance as they consistently pester passers-by and roadside vendors for

eatables. Himachal Pradesh has nearly a quarter of a million of these

simians.

 

It is estimated that there are around 2,000 monkeys in Shimla alone,

including the more populous red bottomed monkey and the black faced langoor.

 

Now, Tajikistan has reportedly come to the state's rescue, offering to

import these captured monkeys, as they are perceived as valuable

commodities.

 

According to the BBC, about 500 monkeys have been captured so far, much to

the relief of both residents and tourists.

 

" The Tajikistan government has sent a letter to the Indian government

requesting the import of monkeys. We are now considering exporting them, "

the report quoted A K Gulati, the state's wildlife chief, as saying.