Gurgaon monkeys will now be removed by a Mathura-based expert hired by MCG

Gurgaon: The Municipal Corporation of Gurugram (MCG) has hired an expert from Mathura to capture monkeys of the city. Despite forming several teams in the past, the MCG has failed to curb the unending monkey menace in the city.

As per MCG officials, there are more than 20,000 monkeys in the city and last year more than 500 cases of monkey bites were reported. The most severely affected areas have been Palam Vihar, DLF, MG Road, South City 1 and 2 and Golf Course Road.

The MCG officials said they have hired expert Inshu, a Mathura resident with several years of experience in the matter. “To ensure the monkey menace issue is eradicated, the MCG has allotted the work to a Mathura-based expert. His team will be responsible for capturing the animals in a proper manner under the watch of wildlife department officials. The concessionaire team will be given Rs1,500 for each monkey captured,” said Saurabh Nain, an official of MCG.

After conducting a health checkup of the animal, the MCG team, under the watch of wildlife department officials, will release the animal in allocated areas in the outskirts of the city.

Officials said footage of capture of monkeys will be recorded and videos and photos of the same will be taken as evidence that animals were not harmed during the process.

“A complaint centre will also be formed, where, if needed, the residents can register complaints regarding the monkey capture process. In addition, food and water will also be provided for the animals.”

Animal activists in the city have been critical of MCG’s actions in the past.

“The only menace here is human menace and a complete denaturing of the society. I have filed a case in the high court on several counts of illegal and unauthorised action regarding monkeys and pigs. Unfortunately, the matter is sub judice and discussion will compound offence,” said Amit Chaudhery, honorary animal welfare officer, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change.