Complaints have been received that Asola sanctuary (in south Delhi) is hopelessly overpopulated (by monkeys) and they have spread to surrounding areas, says Bench
It will take seven more years to drive out the monkeys and curtail their menace, the Environment Ministry informed the Delhi High court on Tuesday which said that people would be driven out of the Lutyen's zone if immediate measures are not taken.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said that the matter of contraception of the monkeys cannot brook any further delay.
"Complaints have been received that Asola sanctuary (in south Delhi) is hopelessly overpopulated (by monkeys) and they have spread to surrounding areas. By the time you develop a vaccine, we will be out of Lutyens Delhi," the bench said.
The court's observation came when the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) said that it is waiting for the release of funds for research on an immune-contraception vaccine was awaiting approval of the Finance Ministry and after that, it will take another seven years of research and trials to develop it.
However, this did not go well with the bench which observed that small African countries have developed the vaccines but we are yet to get it.
"Small African nations have the vaccine and we are yet to develop it? Why are you not applying your mind to the immediate need? " the bench said adding that no delay can be allowed in this.
The ministry's submission came in response to the court's earlier query on how long it would take to fund its pilot project to curb the population of monkeys, wild pigs, nilgais and elephants -- the four focal species in conflict with humans.
The court was hearing a PIL, filed through advocate Meera Bhatia, seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to deal with the menace of monkeys and dogs here.
In the PIL, an application was also moved by the residents of colonies and farmhouses surrounding the Asola sanctuary seeking directions to the authorities to stop relocating the monkeys to the area.
The court asked the Delhi government also to indicate its stand on importing the vaccine, being used by some African nations as well, to address the monkey menace in Delhi and listed the matter for further hearing on February 2.
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