The Delhi High Court has called for civic bodies to initiate a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the adverse effects of feeding monkeys in urban areas, highlighting that such practices exacerbate human-wildlife conflicts. This directive was issued as part of a broader effort to manage the increasing monkey population in the city, which has been causing disturbances in public parks, hospitals, and residential areas.
In a ruling dated September 30, Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela stressed that feeding monkeys not only disrupts their natural habits but also endangers both the animals and the public. “It’s we who have enticed the monkeys out of their natural habitat by feeding them. Giving bread, chapattis, and bananas to monkeys harms them and puts them in conflict with people,” the bench stated.
The court noted that monkeys naturally live on tree tops and thrive on a diet of berries, fruits, and stalks. The shift to a diet provided by human interaction has detrimental effects on their health and encourages them to venture into human habitats, leading to increased instances of conflict.
The justices urged the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to not only spread awareness about the consequences of feeding wildlife but also to implement better waste management practices to discourage monkeys from foraging in garbage. The court also ordered these civic agencies to relocate monkeys from key urban spots to the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary for their rehabilitation.
