In the bustling heart of Kathmandu, where people struggle for living space amidst the overcrowded urban sprawl, it’s a wonder that monkeys even survive. The delicate coexistence of men and beast is most evident at sacred sites like Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath, where humans and monkeys intertwine in fascinating ways.
Sacred monkeys
Swayambhunath, perched on a hill in the middle of the Kathmandu Valley, is renowned for its stunning architecture, spiritual significance, and lively population of macaques. These rhesus monkeys, considered sacred, roam freely around the shrine, embodying the Nepali people’s deep respect for animals.
Legend has it that these monkeys sprang from the scurf of the bodhisattva Manjushree, the mythical founder of the valley. This story highlights their esteemed status and the mutual relationship between these animals and the local people.
Mukesh Kumar Chalise, a zoologist who has studied these monkeys since 1991, estimates a stable population of 425 to 450 individuals in Swayambhunath. However, this stability belies a unique situation: the site, covering just five hectares, is heavily influenced by human activity, especially
food scraps left by visitors. This disrupts the monkeys’ natural behaviours and physiological patterns.
Feeding monkeys might seem kind, but it carries significant risks. As the monkey population grows, their quality of life diminishes. A diet of processed human foods leads to health issues such as obesity, reproductive problems, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Monkeys’ diets would be rich in fruits and seeds in the wild, allowing them to fulfil their ecological roles as seed eaters and dispersers
Early pregnancies are now common due to social competition among the monkeys. Females reproduce as young as two years old, often resulting in twins or triplets that they can’t properly nourish. In their natural habitat, females typically give birth every two years, ensuring better survival rates for their young.
In urban environments, rhesus monkeys live only ten to twelve years, much shorter than their natural lifespan of up to twenty-five years.
Shorter lifespan
The impacts of urbanisation and feeding extend beyond individual health. Research shows the presence of human diseases like influenza and tuberculosis in monkey populations, highlighting the risk of zoonotic diseases. In urban environments, rhesus monkeys live only ten to twelve years, much
shorter than their natural lifespan of up to twenty-five years. Their altered diet disrupts their ecological role. Without their natural diet, they fail to contribute to seed consumption and dispersal, leading to environmental imbalances in urban areas.
As dusk falls at Pashupatinath Temple, the monkeys take over. Unbothered by the evening chill and the encroaching darkness, they move freely among the sacred spaces, indifferent to the ‘Hindus only’ signs. These monkeys live parallel to humans, a synchronistic coexistence that evokes envy and contemplation.
The monkeys’ behaviours contrast sharply with those of the temple visitors. They remain indifferent to the temple’s spiritual power, where bodies are cremated beside the Bagmati River. The monkeys continue their lives without fanfare as the fire dies and the ashes are swept into the river.
Monkeys roaming around Swayambhunath and other religious sites are vital to Nepali tradition, but our interactions with them need revaluation.
Tradition and environment
Monkeys roaming around Swayambhunath and other religious sites are vital to Nepali tradition, but our interactions with them need revaluation. Feeding monkeys should be reconsidered. Educational initiatives must help people understand the natural behaviours of these animals and the importance of maintaining their health.
These efforts will be most effective when supported by organisations and local communities directly affected by these conditions. Preserving the monkeys’ habitat while conducting community sensitisation programs focused on conservation can create a more sustainable environment for both monkeys and humans.
The relationship between Nepalese people and monkeys reflects a profound connection with nature. Fostering respectful behaviour can create a healthier emotional and physical environment that benefits humans and animals. In doing so, we honour our traditions while conserving the ecosystems that enrich our lives.
Pratikshya Bhatta is a junior editor for Nepal Connect
The committee has three months to complete this voluminous job.
