2008 update from Vatavaran Trust

On 10th of March 2008, Vatavaran’s writ petition in the Delhi High Court on management of monkeys of human habitation areas was heard. It was an appeal to the court.

In spite of providing the detailed plans about the monkey sanctuary, to the chief minister’s office on 22nd Jan 2007 and to the secretary (environment), Govt. of NCT Delhi on 25th Feb.2007-[as was asked for], the so called monkey sanctuary at Bhatti side of Asola Bhatti wild life sanctuary, defied each and every requirement.

The plans given had essential details for monkey proof fencing but the non monkey proof fence made by the flood department is resulting in monkeys biting the poor villagers.

As the case has been disposed off by the High Court of Delhi, probably because we intervened too late, our only hope is Supreme Court of India now. If it takes up the case, Monkey Sanctuary in Bhatti area of Asola Bhatti Sanctuary can be of help to commensal monkeys, eradicate unemployment of the villagers and generate revenue.

The first correction has to be making the fence monkey proof . Only materials needed are iron angles, mesh wire netting and PVC sheeting. The iron angles forming the posts should be five meters high. Number of posts will be total area divided by 5 and for each post two planks are needed.

First the posts are fixed, one meter below the ground level and rest above. Next is fixing /welding or of mesh wire netting to the posts. Third step is fixing / welding two planks, on the inner, upper side of each of the posts, at an angle. The upper plank is fixed one meter from the top of the post, because of its angle , its upper end is between ½ to ¾ of a meter above the post. The second plank is almost a meter below and parallel to the first one. The fourth step is to fix PVC sheeting to the planks. It is soft , transparent and one and a half meter wide. As the sheet is on the inner side and hanging loose from the planks monkeys cannot climb it. Thus without caging, the monkeys are restrained.

The second important aspect is the non involvement of the inhabitants of Bhatti village. Since 1994, when Delhi Ridge was declared a reserve forest, I have been of the opinion that villages included in the Asola Bhatti sanctuary should not be evacuated, but given the responsibity to look after the sanctuary. The basic idea behind the monkey sanctuary being on Bhatti side of the sanctuary was to first provide employment to villagers and later if monkey sanctuary becomes a tourist spot, provide opportunities for the villagers to set up a eco bazaar.

Let me now talk about greening of the monkey sanctuary. A list of 40 trees and 40 smaller plants are part of the plans submitted. On my last visit [more about that later] I saw a nursery, not of the plants suggested and badly managed.
As the area does not have food trees of monkeys, contract for food is with some one , not disclosed and it comes from Azad Vegetable market and Government ration shops - Kendriya Bhandars. I saw vegetables , sugarcane and grains in heaps on the ground. Not only the food is wasted but also there is no foraging involved.

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