Ahmedabad: Rising incidents of monkey attacks and an increasing number of rescue calls have prompted the forest department to initiate the city's first-ever monkey census. Experts believe this could shift the approach from a complaint-driven rescue model to data-backed conflict management.
Survey Underway Amid Concerns
The ongoing survey comes amid growing concern over the feeding of monkeys, including langurs, near temples, vegetable markets, housing societies, and open grounds. Before a full-scale census is launched, this online survey features an extensive 27-point questionnaire. Respondents are asked about troop size, the role of improper waste disposal, and the types of nuisances created by monkeys, among other issues.
For the survey, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) areas have been divided into zones. Field data is being collected via a structured format circulated on Google Forms to residential societies. Officials stated that after the survey, a trial census will be conducted to determine the most effective counting method before a full-scale census takes place.
Leadership and Objectives
The proposal for the survey, led by the Ahmedabad Social Forestry Circle under researcher Deepa Gavli, was moved by deputy conservator of forests Minal Jani and approved by the state forest department. Chief conservator of forests K Ramesh, the project's nodal officer, emphasized that with rescue operations repeatedly triggered by public complaints, Ahmedabad needs hard numbers on where monkeys live, how many there are, where they breed, how they move, and how often they enter homes or trigger conflict in residential areas.
According to Ramesh, the final census is expected to capture male-female ratios, breeding status, movement routes, seasonal trends, tree cover, roosting sites, and conflict-prone zones. The findings will help reshape rescue and response strategies, including decisions on capture, release, and team deployment in high-conflict pockets.
Growing Problem and Affected Areas
Reiterating that monkey numbers are increasing along with rescue calls, Jani said the forest department wants to strengthen the system by identifying where conflict is highest and understanding how habitat, food access, and seasonality influence monkey presence in urban neighborhoods. Officials report that Ahmedabad records frequent emergency calls regarding monkey bites, attacks, and primates entering homes in search of food. The department has identified 198 locations where monkey presence is a recurring issue. Areas such as Vastrapur, Navrangpura, Thaltej, Bopal, Ghuma, Ambawadi, Paldi, Shahibaug, Chandkheda, Kubernagar, Naroda, Narol, Sabarmati, Bilasiya, Maninagar, and Asarwa are among the worst affected.
A senior officer noted that what was once considered a harmless or charitable act of feeding monkeys is now linked to aggression, dependency, and repeated conflict. The official added that as Ahmedabad prepares to host international events, the presence of langurs could create a negative impact. "Even the Metro, when it crosses the Sabarmati river, has to stop or honk to scare the monkeys away," he said.
Legal Measures and Awareness
The forest department has intensified awareness drives and enforcement, warning that feeding monkeys, including langurs, is a punishable offense under the Wildlife Protection Act. A first offense can invite a fine of Rs 25,000, while repeat violations could lead to imprisonment.
