The Telangana High Court has issued a series of directions to the State Government to curb the monkey menace in the state.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice T. Vinod Kumar passed the directions in response to a batch of Public Interest Litigations. These petitions sought specific actions from the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to establish sanctuaries for monkeys, thereby preventing their incursions into populated areas and safeguarding agricultural fields from their depredations.
The PILs further sought the intervention of the State Government in obtaining necessary approvals from the Central authorities. The objective was to categorize monkeys as vermin, which would enable the competent authorities to undertake controlled culling of the simians within the GHMC’s jurisdiction.
The court acknowledged that the issue of human-monkey conflict necessitates a comprehensive, long-term strategy involving all concerned parties. In this regard, the court directed the State to collaborate with expert bodies to conduct a thorough examination of the human-wildlife crisis. The aim was to sensitize all stakeholders, including the local populace, to the intricacies of this conflict.
Furthermore, the bench directed the State to conduct an exhaustive enumeration of the monkey population and identify trouble spots. Notably, the court recommended the installation of non-lethal barriers and solar fencing in order to protect agricultural fields from monkey intrusion.
The bench also encouraged the State to explore the cultivation of fruit-bearing trees within forested regions. This cultivation would facilitate the controlled relocation of monkeys to nearby woodland areas, aligning with the provisions outlined in the Transportation of Animal Rules, 1978.
Addressing the practical aspect of managing the monkey situation, the court mandated the implementation of training programs for personnel responsible for monkey capture. Additionally, the court emphasized the importance of designating specific wilderness areas for monkey translocation.
The court underscored the necessity for the State to develop robust compensation mechanisms for individuals adversely affected by human-wildlife conflicts. To facilitate efficient communication, the court called for the establishment of a widely publicized helpline number to report instances of sick or injured monkeys.
In terms of operational procedures, the court directed the State to formulate a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) governing the capture and release of monkeys. This SoP would also encompass specific guidelines pertaining to the construction of capture cages.
The division bench granted a timeframe of six weeks to the State for compliance with these directives.
The case is scheduled for further hearing on September 13, 2023.
