Monkeys: Problem of plenty for Delhi

Amitabh Shukla

New Delhi, November 14

Delhi's Forest Department is battling with a new problem in hand. They are clueless as to what to do with the monkeys handed over to them by the civic bodies – MCD, NDMC and the Cantonment Board.

The monkey shelter of the Forest Department in Rajokari, south-west Delhi houses over 200 monkeys. The simians have been enjoying the hospitality of the government department for a year now as none of the states of the country have agreed to take the Delhi monkeys. In the process, around Rs 15 lakh has been spent.

To add to the woes, another 200 monkeys have been handed over to the Forest officials now. “We have already a problem of plenty. This is adding to the problems,” admitted Environment and Forest Minister Raj Kumar Chauhan.

As a temporary measure, a new monkey shelter would be constructed adjacent to the existing one. “We are looking for a permanent solution to the problem,” said the minister. But nothing seems to be in sight.

The government even plans to approach the High Court so that it gets a favourable order directing one of the Indian states to take the monkeys, found in plenty in the Capital. Last time when the simians were relocated to Madhya Pradesh, it was at the behest of the courts. Government wants a similar order this time too to get rid of the “problem of plenty”. Chauhan said that the department would approach the judiciary soon.

Interestingly, for the relocation of around 225 monkeys to MP, an amount of Rs 2 lakh was given to the state government. This money came from the Centre to the Delhi government. In the latest twist to the tale, several state governments have even refused financial package for the relocation of the monkeys. One of the state governments wrote back to the Delhi government saying that they already have enough monkeys and cannot do with more. (2005)