Prayagraj, February 25: Hearing a PIL filed by Vineet Sharma and Prajakta Singhal, the Allahabad High Court has sought an action report under the SOP prepared to address the serious issue of increasing monkey menace and human-monkey conflict in Ghaziabad and Mathura, among other districts of the state. The division bench of Justice M.C. Tripathi and Justice Kunal Ravi Singh issued this order after considering information provided by the state government.
The division bench of Justice M.C. Tripathi and Justice Kunal Ravi Singh issued this order after considering information provided by the state government.
Advocates Pawan Tiwari and Akash Vashisht represented the petitioners, Manish Goyal, Additional Advocate General for the state government, and Baleshwar Chaturvedi, representing the opposing Municipal Council of Muradnagar, argued.
The state informed the court that a detailed survey is necessary to scientifically assess the rhesus macaque population, their hotspot areas, and the human-monkey conflict situation, which will require approximately one year. It was also reported that a high-level committee has been formed and action is being taken under the current SOP.
The court directed that a detailed affidavit be submitted detailing the concrete steps taken at the district level under the current SOP. Specifically, a detailed action plan detailing the actions taken in Ghaziabad and Mathura districts, as well as measures taken in other districts of the state, be presented to the court before the next date.
The next hearing of the petition will be held on April 6. The petition seeks control of the growing menace of monkeys.