New Delhi, Nov 7 (PTI) The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wild Life (SCNBWL) has recommended that the rhesus macaque, one of the most common and widely distributed monkey species in India, be included under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, to strengthen legal control and management, official records show.

The committee took the decision after considering representations from animal welfare groups and detailed inputs from state wildlife authorities, and directed states to prepare site-specific mitigation plans and a nationwide baseline study to guide scientific management of the species.

According to the minutes, the Animal Welfare Board of India and the Federation of Indian Animal Protection Organisations had asked for restoration of Schedule II protectio

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