The Forest Department will not carry out the culling of monkeys at its own level in view of the religious sentiments of the people but grant permission to kill them to farmers whose crops are being damaged. Replying to the debate on cut motion pertaining to the demands of the Forest Department forest minister J.P.Nadda said the policies of the government must reflect the sentiments of the people of "devbhoomi' and as such the emphasis would be on containing the monkey nuisance by mass sterilisation and setting up primate protection parks. However, permission would be granted to the farmers for killing the simians. The process for granting permission had already been decentralised and now range officers were competent to grant it. He appreciated the concern of the members over the problems being faced in implementation of development projects because of the Forest Conservation Act but said that clearances were being granted. In all, 923 cases had been cleared out of which 23 pertained to the state and the remaining 900 to the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. He said the Act had indeed helped in protecting the forest wealth but the government would take all necessary steps to ensure that it did not hamper development activities. The government was also aware of the difficulties being face by people due to the ban imposed by court on grant of trees under the timber distribution rights, green felling and sawmills. He said the matter was being pursued vigorously and, if required, an appeal would be filed in the apex court. Nadda assured the members that there would be no let-up in the afforestation programme and the government had allocated Rs 12.40 crore for the purpose as against Rs 5.36 crore last year. The department would try to exploit the vast potential foe eco-tourism by utilizing selected rest houses. Earlier, initiating the debate Harsh Wardhan drew attention to the damage being caused to crops and livestock by wild animals. He also urged the government to give compensation for killing of livestock at uniform rates and asserted that there was no justification for granting less compensation for animals killed in forests as compared to those killed in a cowshed. Gangu Ram Musafir pointed out that the people were no longer cooperating in protecting forests, particularly in controlling forest fires, mainly because they were being denied their timber distribution rights. He suggested that manpower should be engaged for protection of forests under the National Rural Employment Guarantee programme.