Varanasi: In a significant move to address the growing menace of monkeys in the city, the Uttar Pradesh government has transferred full responsibility for their management from the municipal corporation to the Forest Department. The decision is expected to bring greater efficiency and expertise to tackling the long-standing issue.
The order follows directions issued during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation in the Allahabad High Court, where concerns over increasing monkey attacks and lack of coordinated action were raised. Acting on the court’s observations, the state government has initiated a structural shift in responsibility.
According to the directive issued by the Urban Development Department, the Forest Department will now oversee all aspects of monkey control, including capture, relocation, and rehabilitation. It has been instructed to prepare a comprehensive action plan within one month, detailing strategies from safe capture to proper resettlement of the animals.
Officials stated that while the Forest Department will lead the initiative, the municipal corporation and other concerned departments will extend full cooperation to ensure smooth implementation. The integrated plan will also incorporate revised guidelines and recommendations provided by the Animal Welfare Board of India.
The move is expected to resolve the long-standing jurisdictional confusion between civic authorities and the Forest Department, which often delayed action on the ground. With accountability now clearly defined, authorities anticipate faster and more effective measures to curb the problem.
Residents of Varanasi have frequently reported incidents of monkey attacks, damage to property, and disruption in daily life. The new arrangement is likely to bring much-needed relief, as a coordinated and expert-driven approach is set to replace the earlier fragmented system.
The state government reiterated its commitment to ensuring public safety while also maintaining humane and lawful treatment of wildlife, expressing confidence that the new framework will yield tangible results in the coming months.
