The death of a priest by a stone allegedly thrown by a monkey on Monday has prompted the environment and forest department to carry out a survey to identify areas facing simian menace in Bihar.

S.S. Chaudhary, the additional principal chief conservator of forests (wildlife), said: "Divisional forest officers have been asked to conduct a survey to find out areas in Bihar which face problem with monkeys. They have been asked to present their reports by December 15. The exercise has been initiated as something comprehensive needs to be done to curb this problem."

The reports will be forwarded to the wildlife wing of the ministry of environment, forest and climate change, seeking suggestions for the remedy.

"The department will contact other states in north India, which face the same problem, to try and learn the best practices to tackle the problem," said the official. "One way out is running a sterilisation programme for male monkeys. However, it will be premature to come up with a concrete plan right now and the department first has to gauge the seriousness of the problem."

"Planning will be done after December 15, when the reports arrive from the districts," he added.

Sources said many parts of Bihar were facing the monkey menace.

"There are many villages in Saharsa district, which face monkey terror. Humans destroy their natural habitat, forcing them to turn violent and aggressive," said another official.

"The department, however, is working towards controlling the problem seriously now," he added.

Patna police too have sought help from the department to control the menace caused by monkeys in different areas of Patna City.

Patna senior superintendent Vikas Vaibhav said: "Yesterday's (Monday) incident has caught the police's attention. We have spoken to the department, requesting them to do something towards tackling the monkey menace in Patna City. We hope that they take the necessary steps in the issue."