Arghakhanchi hires 26 ‘monkey watchers’ to protect maize fields

In Arghakhanchi, Nepal, a novel initiative is underway to combat the escalating problem of monkeys damaging maize crops. The Division Forest Office has recruited 26 "monkey watchers" to safeguard farmland, responding to mounting complaints from distressed farmers.

The office initially sought 20 watchers but increased the number to 26 due to the widespread nature of crop damage and high demand from affected areas. While 70 people applied, including two women, all selected watchers are men from rural communities directly impacted by monkey raids. These temporary positions, running for two months until September 26, offer a monthly salary of Rs12,500 and include safety training.

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We had called for 20 monkey watchers, but after receiving requests from farmers across large areas where monkeys have damaged maize crops, we increased the number to 26.

This program is unusual as it lacks direct government funding for operational costs. Instead, community forest user groups have pooled resources to finance the initiative. This highlights the severity of human-wildlife conflict, particularly in Nepal's hill districts, where repeated crop losses have become a major economic burden for many rural communities. The watchers will be trained to drive monkeys away from farms and settlements, and redirect them towards natural food sources, offering a much-needed, albeit unconventional, solution.

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We will formally announce the selected watchers in the presence of Chief District Officer Toya Narayan Subedi.