Mohan Bhulani (Dehradun): The capital of Uttarakhand is under siege, not by any natural disaster, but by troops of fearless monkeys. From dawn to dusk, rooftops, lanes, school gates and even kitchens have become their playground. Children are terrified, women harassed, and the elderly scared to step out. In the last six months alone, Doon Hospital and various police stations have recorded over 200 complaints of monkey bites and attacks, leaving several children and senior citizens seriously injured. The shocking truth? We, the residents, are the real culprits behind this urban terror.
For decades, in the name of religious faith, people have been feeding monkeys bananas, apples, grams, peanuts and biscuits. Around famous temples like Tapkeshwar on Mussoorie Road, Sahastradhara, Premnagar and Rajpur Road, permanent monkey armies have been created. Easy, effort-free food from human hands taught them a simple lesson: why climb trees in the jungle when free meals are available in the city? Gradually, these once-wild rhesus macaques turned into bold urban scavengers. Today, they don’t just snatch food; they snarl, bare teeth and attack anyone who resists.
Earlier, both rhesus macaques and langurs were listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Feeding monkeys was a punishable offence. Prominent boards outside temples read: “Feeding monkeys is prohibited – violators will be fined.” Offenders were actually challaned. However, in later amendments, common monkeys were removed from Schedule II. Legally, there is now no restriction on feeding them. People took it as an open licence, feeding increased, population exploded, and confidence skyrocketed.
To control the growing numbers, the Forest Department launched a sterilisation drive. Teams lay nets across the city, capture monkeys and transport them to the Chidiyapur Rescue Centre in Haridwar for surgery. After the procedure, they are released back into the same urban areas. Wildlife experts warn that the trauma of capture, anaesthesia, pain and relocation often turns these animals even more aggressive. Many sterilised monkeys return to the same colony and attack with what almost seems like vengeance. Although monkey management in urban areas is officially the responsibility of the Dehradun Municipal Corporation, the civic body lacks staff, equipment and a concrete plan. Consequently, the entire burden continues to fall on the Forest Department.
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF), Uttarakhand, Mr Jayraj, stated bluntly: “By nature, monkeys are wild creatures that love freedom in the forests. Our misplaced compassion has made them addicts of the city. While everyone must respect religious sentiments, we need to realise that constantly feeding monkeys is harmful for them and dangerous for us. Until the public changes its behaviour, no government campaign can fully succeed. The Municipal Corporation must go beyond mere sterilisation and focus on large-scale awareness, strict waste management and enforcement.”
Experts say a lasting solution is possible only if:
- Feeding monkeys is completely stopped
- Open garbage and food waste are strictly controlled
- “Feeding monkeys prohibited – heavy fine” boards return outside temples and public places
- Municipal Corporation and Forest Department jointly prepare a long-term strategy
- Citizens understand that kindness does not mean putting lives at risk
Dehradun can be freed from monkey terror only when we break the centuries-old habit that transformed a jungle animal into an urban goon. Otherwise, the coming days could turn even more frightening.
