5520 monkeys trapped in Delhi last year

New Delhi, Apr 6 (UNI) A total of 5520 monkeys were trapped by various local authorities in Delhi over the last year as part of efforts to rid the capital city of the monkey menace, which has assumed serious proportions, claiming the life of Delhi's Deputy Mayor S S Bajwa among others.

According to the statistics released by the Delhi Government, 5520 monkeys were trapped between April 2007 and March 2008. Of this, 4700 monkeys were trapped by the Municipal corporation of Delhi while 820 monkeys were caught by the New Delhi Municipal Council.

In the recent years, the monkey menace has assumed serious proportions in Delhi. Infact, last year, the Deputy Mayor of Delhi S S Bajwa fell down from the terrace of his house when he was surrounded by a group of monkeys.

According to the statistics, 536 cases of monkey bites came to light in 2004, a figure which rose to 715 the next year. In 2006, it rose further to 783. Despite this, the Delhi Government claims that the situation is not alarming.

The state Government says all efforts are being made to tackle the monkey menace. Last year, the MCD invited sealed bids through National newspapers in a bid to control the menace. However,the response to the bid was nil.

Since then, the MCD has got in touch with the authorities in the neighbouring states, inviting monkey catchers from these states to trap the simians in return for a payment of Rs 450 for every monkey caught. Nine teams of the corporation are at present engaged in the operation to trap the monkeys.

The trapped monkeys have been housed in the Asola Bhati mines where they are being kept under the supervision of the Forest Department.

UNI AR RSA HT1028