Delhi HC Highlights Open Garbage As Key Contributor To Monkey-Human Conflict; Urges Citizens To Avoid Littering

The Delhi High Court has instructed civic agencies in the national capital to launch a year-long public awareness campaign educating citizens about the detrimental effects of feeding monkeys.

The Bench of Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela emphasized that feeding wild animals not only harms them by increasing their dependence on humans but also reduces the natural distance between humans and wildlife, escalating human-animal conflicts.

"We believe that the people of Delhi have inherent wisdom and will change their behavior once they understand that feeding wild animals is harmful to both the animals' welfare and human well-being," the Court stated.

The Court highlighted the need for civic authorities to educate the public on how feeding monkeys does more harm than good. It directed the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and the North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) to spearhead this awareness campaign, informing citizens about the negative consequences of such actions.

"To correct this situation, the civic agencies should carry out a sustained year long public awareness campaign to inform people how their feeding is not benefitting the monkeys. That in fact feeding harms the animals in various ways by increasing their dependence on humans and reduces natural distance between wild animals and humans," the Bench said. 

The court’s directions were passed in two Public Interest Litigations (PILs) filed in 2015 by NGOs Nyaya Bhoomi and The Society for Public Cause, raising concerns about the increasing human-monkey conflict in the city.

Addressing waste management as a contributing factor to the monkey menace, the Bench pointed out that open garbage in public parks, food hubs, dhabas, and canteens attracts monkeys, increasing human-animal conflicts in urban areas. "If citizens of Delhi want to live in a safe environment, they must stop littering food in public spaces. This aspect must also be highlighted in the public awareness campaign undertaken by the civic agencies," the Court added.

The Court further directed the MCD and NDMC to prepare and implement a comprehensive program to address the growing monkey menace in Delhi. This includes shifting monkeys from public spaces such as parks, hospitals, government offices, and residential areas to the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary in New Delhi.

"Accordingly, the municipal authorities i.e. MCD and NDMC are directed to prepare and implement a programme to deal with the monkey menace. The MCD and NDMC shall also ensure that monkeys are shifted from public parks, hospitals, government offices and residential areas and rehabilitated in Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, New Delhi. The MCD, NDMC and Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital are directed to file an updated status report within three weeks. List on 25th October, 2024," the Court ordered. 

Cause Title: Nyaya Bhoomi v. State of NCT of Delhi & Ors. and connected matter 

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