Daijiworld Media Network - Mathura (SHP)
Mathura, Nov 12: To control the simian menace in the religious tourism belt of Mathura-Vrindavan, Mathura District Administration on Monday decided to allot over 25 acres of land to the Forest department.
Addressing the reporters, CEO of the Braj Tirth Vikas Parishad, Nagendra Pratap said, "In Chaumuhan block, 25 acres of land has been transferred to the Forest department for preliminary work." Pratap made a statement after the end of a day-long seminar held at Pandit Deen Dayal Veterinary University in Mathura.
"The district magistrate mentioned that the land has been transferred to the Forest department and also registered in revenue records. A decision has also been taken to shift ailing monkeys to the rescue centre for their rehabilitation," Pratap added.
District Forest Officer Mukesh Sharma alleged that noted experts of animal husbandry are asked to weigh-in the pros and cons of carrying out a tubectomy/vasectomy procedure for the simians.
Sharma claimed that once the monkeys are caught they would be medically examined and if necessary, they will be segregated, based on their illness and will be then taken for rehabilitation. Concerning the project, a draft proposal will be prepared and then sent for clearance to the Union government.
The project was suggested by none other than Mathura MP, Hema Malini. During the 2014 Lok Sabha election campaign, Malini had promised the locals that she would resolve the monkey menace thriving in the city.
She had introduced the idea of setting up a 'monkey safari', but nothing was done until now.
In a statement to PTI, Malini said, "Once the draft proposal is prepared, I will raise the issue in Parliament. This is a serious subject and needs to be tackled at the national level." She believes the matter should be handled as humanely as possible. As per district authorities, the religious city is home to over 21,707 simians.
Malini has sternly stated that sterilisation of the animals is not a permanent solution. BJP MP Maneka Gandhi also advised against the move after the option was discussed with her.
The actress-turned-parliamentarian said, "This is a religious and cultural issue. Opinions from many stakeholders have to be taken into consideration for which this seminar would provide the solutions."
The apes are infamous for snatching spectacles, purses and food packets of pilgrims, travellers. The problem is very acute in Vrindavan and Mathura and in areas including Barsana, Gokul and Govardhan which are closer to the temple areas.
During a visit a few years ago, former president Pranab Mukerjee had to be taken up to Banke Bihari temple in a closed car to escape the simians while a former Mathura district magistrate lost her spectacles while coming out of the temple.
A senior forest official claimed that one of the agreed-upon solutions was to catch and release 2,000 monkeys in the Bah area of Chambal region.
Meanwhile, DFO Sharma said, "If the proposed solution turns out to be successful, the model would then be coined as 'Mathura Model'. It would be taken up across Uttar Pradesh and also in other parts of the country to eliminate the monkey menace."