Forest dept says monkey business in Delhi is MCD's

The Delhi forest and wildlife department on Wednesday said that the rhesus macaque, a prominent monkey species found in Delhi, will no longer fall under their ambit as it is not a scheduled animal according to the recently amended Wildlife Protection Act, 2022, which came into force from April 1, 2023. The responsibility for this monkey will, therefore, solely fall on the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the department said.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The department said the animal will now be treated similarly to urban animals such as community dogs and cats, or cattle, which are the responsibility of MCD. Officials said plans to carry out a monkey census, in works since 2020, is also not likely anymore owing to the animal's new status.

"Based on the amended Act, the animal no longer enjoys protection under any schedule and is, therefore, not under the forest and wildlife department's ambit. Earlier, rescues would be carried out for injured monkeys too. However, according to the new rules, this is the MCD's mandate now, which handles stray dogs," a senior forest official said, requesting anonymity.

However, an MCD spokesperson said they were unaware this development. "Nonetheless, MCD will shoulder the responsibility if it has to and ensure that the public is not inconvenienced," the spokesperson said.