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UP Monkey Menace: Court Demands Action Plan
27 Feb
Summary
- Allahabad High Court seeks reports on monkey menace action.
- PIL highlights rising monkey population and crop destruction.
- Court directs authorities to submit a detailed action plan.
The Allahabad High Court has mandated district-level committees to report on actions taken concerning the escalating man-monkey conflict across Uttar Pradesh. This directive comes as the court reviews a Public Interest Litigation highlighting the burgeoning monkey population, increased conflict incidents, significant crop damage, and the resulting hunger among monkeys due to shrinking food sources.
The court has specifically requested detailed action plans from authorities, with the next hearing scheduled for April 6. During proceedings on February 17, the bench emphasized the need for an affidavit detailing the implementation of the current Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in affected districts like Ghaziabad and Mathura.
Authorities indicated that a year-long study is necessary to assess Rhesus Macaque populations and conflict hotspots to formulate an effective management strategy. Until this study is complete, the existing SOP, "Instructions Regarding the Capture, Transportation and Release of Monkeys," will guide mitigation efforts. A high-power committee has been established to oversee these actions.
Petitioners' counsel presented evidence of widespread incidents, including violent monkey attacks in Kaushambi, Prayagraj, Sitapur, Bareilly, and Agra, stressing that the issue impacts multiple districts and causes fear among residents and disruptions to schools.
