JAIPUR: Feeding monkeys sweets as part of religious rituals is contributing to the spread of a serious skin disease among them at Jaipur’s Galtaji Temple, experts have warned.Many monkeys in and around the popular pilgrimage site are suffering from hyperkeratosis, a skin condition that causes hair loss, thickened and cracked skin, bleeding wounds, and difficulty in movement, they said.Locals said the condition has spread rapidly among monkeys in the area, with many unable to walk, jump or climb trees because of deteriorating health.Popularly known as the “Monkey Temple”, Jaipur’s Galtaji Temple is an 18th-century pilgrimage site built from pink sandstone. It is renowned for its natural freshwater springs and large population of macaques and langurs.Senior wildlife veterinarian Ashok Tanwar said many monkeys at the temple are suffering from hyperkeratosis, a skin condition that he attributed largely to changes in their diet caused by people feeding them sweets and other processed food.“Red-faced monkeys are affected by hyperkeratosis, which creates a condition similar to severe skin dryness seen in humans,” Tanwar told PTI.The disease is spreading due to excessive feeding of sweets, with most cases seen among monkeys living around the temple, he said.“Due to changes in diet, the skin becomes dry and cracks because of a lack of moisture,” Tanwar said.Terming the condition treatable, he said, “Since 2020, many such monkeys have been treated successfully.” “People feed monkeys chana, makhana and laddoos. Regular consumption of such food leads to allergies and skin problems. If monkeys are allowed their natural diet and live in their natural environment, they can recover in most cases,” Tanwar said.Wildlife experts said monkeys naturally feed on roots, fruits, vegetables and leaves, but religious offerings of sweets and processed food have altered their diet, leading to serious long-term health problems.Forest officials said the disease has spread among the monkey population in the Galta area and that awareness campaigns are being conducted to discourage people from feeding them unhealthy food.Regional Forest Officer Jitendra Singh Shekhawat said, “We regularly conduct awareness campaigns to tell people not to feed sweets, makhana or processed food to monkeys and langurs. They should be left on their natural diet.” Forest officials said warning boards have been installed in and around the Galtaji Temple, urging visitors not to feed monkeys, in an effort to curb the spread of the disease.They said treating the affected animals is challenging because of their agility. Teams from the municipal corporation have been roped in to help capture infected monkeys and shift them to Jaipur Zoo for treatment.Wildlife enthusiast Rohit Gangwal said many devotees unknowingly harm the animals by feeding them sweets and processed food, despite their natural diet consisting of fruits, leaves and other vegetation.“People feed monkeys laddoos, biscuits and even ice-cream, which they cannot digest due to their excessive sugar content. The disease spreads from one monkey to another,” Gangwal said.He warned that the monkey population could decline significantly if such practices continue.Experts warned that unless people stop feeding monkeys sweets and processed food and allow them to return to their natural diet, the disease could spread further, posing a serious threat to the animals’ health and survival.(With agency inputs)
