Maharashtra Introduces ₹600 Incentive Per Monkey to Manage Rising Human–Wildlife Conflict
Maharashtra Introduces ₹600 Incentive Per Monkey to Manage Rising Human–Wildlife Conflict
In response to the increasing tension between people and monkeys in several parts of the state, the Maharashtra government has rolled out a focused initiative aimed at managing the situation in a structured and safer manner. The move comes amid frequent incidents of monkeys entering residential zones, leading to concern among local communities and officials alike.
As per a Government Resolution issued on April 22, 2026, by the Revenue and Forest Department, the state will provide a fixed incentive of ₹600 for every monkey that is safely captured and relocated. The decision follows sustained requests from public representatives who highlighted that the process of handling such animals involves both risk and logistical difficulty, and therefore required better compensation support.
The initiative is mainly directed at species such as Rhesus macaques and Hanuman langurs, which have been increasingly sighted in human settlements. Authorities attribute this rise in encounters to shrinking forest habitats and the easy availability of food waste in urban and semi-urban areas. These factors have not only pushed the animals closer to people but have also resulted in crop destruction, damage to property, and occasional safety concerns for residents.
To ensure the process remains responsible and does not harm the animals, strict guidelines have been introduced. Capturing must be done only through approved humane methods like nets or cages. Each rescue operation is required to be properly documented, including photographic proof. Once captured, the monkeys are to be relocated to designated forest regions situated at least 10 kilometres away from populated areas, reducing the chances of their return.
Officials have clarified that the financial incentive is intended to offer immediate relief to affected communities while maintaining compliance with existing wildlife protection laws. All established conservation rules and procedures will continue to be enforced alongside this new framework.
While the step is expected to ease day-to-day conflicts between humans and monkeys, authorities acknowledge that it is only a short-term response. The deeper challenge of habitat loss and ecological imbalance remains unresolved, pointing to the need for more sustainable, long-term conservation planning.
