Arghakhanchi to Recruit ‘Monkey Watchers’ to Protect Crops from Wildlife Damage

The Division Forest Office, Arghakhanchi, under the Lumbini Provincial Government, has launched a new initiative to minimize crop damage caused by monkeys by recruiting 20 "Monkey Watchers." The personnel will be deployed in 26 monkey-affected areas under a cost-sharing arrangement with community forest management groups to help protect agricultural land. Applicants must be permanent residents of the affected areas, under 45 years of age, and have an interest in forest and biodiversity conservation. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in community forestry, nursery management, or similar work. Selected candidates will monitor monkey activity, alert farmers in time, maintain records of crop damage, and drive monkeys away from farmland using humane and environmentally friendly methods. Each watcher will receive a monthly salary of Rs 12,500 and will serve for two months, from Shrawan 10 to Ashoj 10. Interested applicants must submit their applications within three days of the notice publication along with the required documents.