Madhya Pradesh Government Deregulates Red-Faced Monkey Management
The Madhya Pradesh state government has officially removed red-faced monkeys from the oversight of the forest department, declaring that no permission is required to capture these animals in urban and rural areas. This significant policy shift was communicated to the Legislative Assembly last week, with the new guidelines taking effect from February 25.
Legal Basis for the Decision
In a written reply presented in the House, the government clarified that under the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, red-faced monkeys are explicitly excluded from its protective scope. Consequently, the forest department bears no responsibility for managing these primates, and local authorities are empowered to handle capture operations independently.
The government statement emphasized: "Movement of monkeys is a natural process. In areas where monkeys are present, incidents such as injuring people and snatching food items from houses have been reported. Since red-faced monkeys are outside the purview of the Wildlife Act, the question of framing rules does not arise."
Response to Public Concerns
The policy announcement came in response to inquiries from Congress MLA Vivek Vicky Patel, who highlighted the severe disruptions caused by red-faced monkeys across the state. His questions addressed the persistent problems faced by residents and schoolchildren, the absence of a formal removal process, and any recorded accidents or fatalities resulting from monkey attacks.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav detailed that instructions were issued in August of the previous year, directing all district collectors and chief executive officers to collaborate with local bodies, gram panchayats, municipal corporations, and trained institutions. These entities are now authorized to capture monkeys in districts where public life is adversely affected.
Widespread Impact and Local Implementation
Red-faced monkeys are ubiquitous throughout Madhya Pradesh, frequently troubling inhabitants in cities, towns, and rural settlements. Popular tourist destinations and religious sites are particularly prone to monkey-related incidents, with numerous complaints registered via the Chief Minister's helpline.
The government's directive mandates that municipalities and local governance bodies assume full responsibility for mitigating the monkey menace. This decentralized approach aims to provide quicker and more effective solutions tailored to specific community needs, without bureaucratic delays from the forest department.
This move is expected to alleviate the long-standing frustrations of citizens who have endured property damage, physical injuries, and daily inconveniences due to the aggressive behavior of these primates.
