Vatavaran Trust announces new programs to protect primates

overview

At present there are approximately 6000 monkeys in Delhi and 75% of them are in human habitation areas. Langurs brought in since 20000 have aggravated the monkey menace. The monkey cage at Rajokri is a small cage not conducive for monkeys and according to official records 200-250 monkeys can be kept there, leave alone 2000 that must be removed from Delhi immediately.


Vatavaran intends to undertake an awareness/fundraising campaign, Vatavaran Primate Procession with the goal of garnering public suppourt and funding in order to set up the monkey sanctuary Vatavaran Primate Estate in India. This campaign will consist of three phases as described below.


phase 1
Awareness and Fundraising efforts using print based and local level efforts in public sphere spaces such as colleges etc.

phase 2
Seminars, discussions, meetings and other larger scale public events to gather support for the cause.

phase 3
Inclusion of electronic (TV , radio) and web media into the campaign.
The expected time period is approximately one year, however based on the response from the Delhi Chief Minister and Rajasthan Chief Minister and support generated from corporate houses and religious bodies, making of the sanctuary can start concurrently. Due to lack of government support where funds are concerned Vatavaran plans on contacting corporate houses, religious bodies amnd the public at large. IPPL USA and UK have already agreed to contribute for the first phase of the awareness campaign.

25 acres of land near the Hanuman mandir of Asola Wildlife Sanctuary has been identified for Vatavaran Primate Estate. A reply from the government is awaited