Daily Current Affairs for UPSC : 8 Nov 2025/Rhesus Macaque to be Protected under Wildlife Act, 1972

Rhesus Macaque to be Protected under Wildlife Act, 1972:
The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) which is headed by the Union Environment Minister has recently proposed the re-inclusion of Rhesus Macaque species of monkeys under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 to again, give statutory protection, enforcement against illegal capture, cruelty and to allow regulation for scientific management.

Important Points:
• Proposal for Re-inclusion: Rhesus Macaque (Schedule II species) may be again recognized under the Wildlife Protection Act, having conducted field studies and consultation with experts for conflict areas.
• Directions for Management: Chief Wildlife Wardens will be required to prepare conservation/management plans tailored to specific sites and also develop rescue/rehabilitation facilities.
• Recommendations to be Forwarded: The SC-NBWL’s recommendations have been sent to the Central Zoo Authority and National Tiger Conservation Authority.
• Recommend Actions by State: States are required to generate detailed plans for mitigation, identify/categorize conflict areas, and generate a “base hypothesis” derived from previous studies completed by the Wildlife Institute of India.
• Framework for Concerns: This fear of re-protection is based on increased high conflict between humans and macque monkeys in the past; The Ministry sought reasoned inputs using draft advisory.
• States Position:
• States in assent with Re-inclusion (6): Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh (to limit cruelty and for ecological reasons).
• States in dissent with Re-inclusion (5): Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Jammu & Kashmir, Andhra Pradesh (because of increased conflict; desire for management)..

Details about Rhesus Macaque (Macaca mulatta):
Taxonomy and Classification:
• Scientific name: Macaca mulatta
• Family: Cercopithecidae (Old World monkeys)
• Order: Primates
• IUCN Status: Least Concern

Distribution:
• Present in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, northern areas of China, and other areas of Southeast Asia.
• Generated in India, it is found extensively in northern, central, and eastern parts of India.
• They are flexible and can live in a variety of habitats, including forests, urban areas, temples, and human habitation.

About National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
Background:
• The NBWL is constituted under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• The NBWL is the apex advisory body for wildlife conservation and protected areas (PAs) in India.
• The NBWL is headed by the Prime Minister of India.

Structure and Composition:
• Chairperson: Prime Minister of India
• Vice-Chairperson: Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
• Members:
• 15 Non-Official (eminent conservationists, ecologists, environmentalists etc. )
• 10 Official (from the government departments/min. that are engaged in wildlife conservation)
• Member Secretary: Dir. General of Forests or a senior-level official from MoEFCC

Functions:
• Advise the Central and state Governments on matters pertaining to:
• Establishment/development of Wildlife/Wildlife Policy
• Conservation and management of endangered species
• Management of National Parks/sanctuaries and PAs
• Regulation of projects and activities that may have an impact on wildlife
• Approval of projects for the diversion of forest/wildlife land for developmental purposes.