Lucknow: The UP monkey menace has once again come under the spotlight after the Allahabad High Court directed a newly formed 13-member High Powered Committee to take urgent action. The Court said the committee must work actively and not remain only on paper. The order came while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a long-term solution to the growing human-monkey conflict across Uttar Pradesh.
UP Monkey Menace Case: High Court Seeks Immediate Action
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Arun Bhansali and Justice Kshitij Shailendra directed the committee to hold regular meetings and quickly examine the action plan suggested by the petitioners.
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The Court made it clear that the committee should take practical decisions and prepare an effective strategy to reduce monkey attacks and improve the living conditions of monkeys.
What the State Government Told the Court
During the hearing held on July 16, 2026, the Uttar Pradesh government informed the Court that:
- A 13-member High Powered Committee was officially formed on July 15, 2026.
- The committee will study the proposed action plan and recommend practical solutions.
- Urban Local Bodies have been instructed to continue catching, transporting, and relocating monkeys from urban areas.
- The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has been asked to speed up its long-term report and also provide a short-term strategy for handling the monkey menace.
- The government assured the Court that it is preparing a sustainable long-term plan for the entire state.
Court Says Committee Must Not Remain Only on Paper
While reviewing the government’s progress, the High Court observed that since the committee has now been formed, it is expected to act without delay.
The Bench stressed that the committee should urgently examine the issue, make decisions, and implement an effective action plan instead of existing only as a formal body.
UP Monkey Menace Case: Background of the PIL
The PIL has been monitored by the Allahabad High Court since May 2025. Earlier hearings showed the Court’s concern over the lack of coordination among different government departments. The Bench noted that although everyone accepted that the monkey menace was a serious public problem, no department was taking responsibility for solving it.
Court Earlier Criticised Government’s Response on UP Monkey Menace Case
In September 2025, the Court criticised the administration for failing to control the growing human-monkey conflict. Later, in December 2025, the State referred to recommendations regarding the Rhesus Macaque and the need for scientific studies. However, the Court observed that these reasons were being used to justify continued inaction.
SOP Found Inadequate
The Uttar Pradesh government submitted a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in April 2026. However, the petitioners argued that the SOP lacked practical measures. They described it as a framework without the necessary details required to solve the problem effectively. The Court also observed that the SOP did not adequately address the key issues behind the monkey menace.
Next Hearing on September 1
The High Court has directed the State Government to submit the committee’s progress report and minutes of its meetings during the next hearing.
The matter is scheduled to be heard again on September 1, 2026.
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