Monkey Menace
Under WPA it is unlawful to use langurs to chase away monkeys. But what is the solution, ask harried residents
Shraddha Maheshwari
The monkey menace does not seem to be abating in East Delhi. Despite the MCD’s efforts to trap monkeys, their menace still prevails. Residents of several colonies are dependent on langurs to chase monkeys away but as they are listed in the schedule of the Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), it is illegal to keep them. Befuddled residents say they do not know what to do.
Several pockets of Mayur Vihar-II have hired the services of langur walas, but most of them have decided to dispense with them after coming to know that it is illegal. K.P. Verghese, a resident, says: "Our pocket has hired the services of a langur wala but now we have decided to stop it as it is against the law. We will now call the MCD monkey catchers."
Another resident, Shalini Chaddha, is anguished over the decision. She says: "It means that we will again have to live in constant fear of attacks by monkeys. Children will not be able to go out alone to parks, there will be more broken rear view mirrors and torn clothes. Cases of monkey bites may also increase."
Anil Tyagi of another pocket of Mayur Vihar-II shared the same concern and says: "Are langurs more important than human beings? I think the government should let people keep langurs to fight monkeys till they find a permanent solution. Monkey catchers with the MCD are not effective and many a time they are unable to trap even a single monkey."
Ritu Jain, another resident, says: "Why can’t they amend the Act to allow the keeping of langurs? What is the harm in using one species of simians to chase away another? Mind it, I am not speaking against the langurs. If they can be useful in fighting the monkey menace, why not use them?"
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