Feeding sweets to monkeys causing skin disease at Jaipur’s Galtaji temple, experts warn

Wildlife experts have warned that feeding sweets and processed food to monkeys at Jaipur's Galtaji temple is causing hyperkeratosis, a severe skin disease. Authorities are treating infected animals while urging devotees to stop feeding monkeys and allow them their natural diet

Jaipur: Feeding monkeys with sweets as part of religious practices is leading to the spread of a serious skin disease among them at the Galtaji temple here, experts have warned.

A large number of monkeys in and around the popular pilgrimage site are suffering from hyperkeratosis, a skin condition marked by symptoms such as hair loss, cracked skin, bleeding wounds and difficulty in movement, they said.

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Locals said the condition has spread rapidly among monkeys in the area, with several primates unable to walk, jump or climb trees due to worsening health conditions. Also known as the ‘monkey temple’, the Galtaji Mandir in Jaipur is an 18th-century pilgrimage site built from pink sandstone, which is famous for its natural freshwater springs and large population of macaques and langurs.

Senior wildlife veterinarian Ashok Tanwar said that monkeys on the temple premises are suffering from a condition called hyperkeratosis, primarily caused due to the changes in their diet due to human feeding habits.

“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.

While wildlife experts say that the natural diet of monkeys includes roots, fruits, vegetables and leaves, religious sentiments often lead people to offer them sweets and processed food, causing long-term health damage.

Forest officials said the disease has spread among monkeys in the Galta area for which awareness measures are being taken.

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.” Warning boards have been installed in and around the Galtaji temple, urging visitors not to feed monkeys, Shekhawat said.

According to forest officials, while capturing monkeys for treatment is challenging due to their agility, teams from the municipal corporation have been roped in to assist in catching the infected animals and shifting them to the Jaipur zoo for treatment.

Wildlife enthusiast Rohit Gangwal said many devotees unknowingly harm the animals. “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. The experts cautioned that unless public behaviour changes and monkeys are allowed access to their natural diet, the disease could spread further and pose a serious threat to their survival.