Chandrapur: Responding to persistent demands from elected representatives, the Maharashtra government recently issued a government resolution revising the operational and financial framework for capturing and relocating conflict-prone monkeys. The latest GR allocates a uniform rate of Rs600 per operation across both rural and urban areas of the state.
Background of the Revision
The revision, which updates an earlier resolution from November 2025, comes after public representatives repeatedly flagged the inadequacy of existing financial norms. They argued that poor compensation had left authorised agencies ill-equipped to respond effectively to a conflict that has grown well beyond forest boundaries. Notably, the rhesus macaque and Hanuman langur are the species most often involved in conflict cases. Once found mainly in forests and farmlands, these primates are now common in towns and cities, where they raid homes, damage crops, and sometimes injure people. Officials admit that the lack of a clear and practical compensation system has long made field operations difficult.
Details of the New Framework
The revised framework standardises the Rs600 rate to cover both capture and release, providing a uniform compensation structure for agencies on the ground. This move aims to streamline operations and ensure that agencies are adequately compensated for their efforts. Conservationists, while acknowledging the administrative necessity of the move, warn that punitive or reactive measures will only go so far. Lasting relief, they argue, requires investment in habitat restoration, improved urban waste management, and sustained public awareness campaigns.
Future Outlook
The government has also signalled that additional guidelines may follow as implementation is monitored. This indicates a willingness to adapt the policy based on ground realities and feedback from stakeholders. The revision is seen as a positive step towards addressing the human-monkey conflict, but experts emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach that includes preventive measures alongside reactive ones.
