In a move that has sparked curiosity, debate, and a fair share of smiles, the Delhi Assembly is planning an unconventional strategy to deal with the long-standing monkey menace at the Vidhan Sabha.
Instead of cages or chemical deterrents, officials are considering hiring trained individuals who can mimic the sounds of langurs—natural predators that monkeys instinctively fear. The idea is simple yet rooted in animal behavior: when monkeys hear langur calls, they tend to retreat, believing a real threat is nearby.
Why Langur Sounds?
For years, monkeys have caused disruptions in government buildings across Delhi, damaging property, snatching food, and sometimes posing safety risks to staff and visitors. Traditional methods have either proven ineffective or raised concerns about animal welfare.
Langur sound mimicry offers a non-violent, eco-friendly, and humane alternative. Earlier, live langurs were deployed at several government complexes, but stricter wildlife protection rules led to bans on using real animals for this purpose. Sound-based deterrence emerged as a legal workaround.
How the Plan May Work
According to officials, selected personnel would be stationed around sensitive zones of the Vidhan Sabha complex. These individuals would periodically produce accurate langur calls to scare away monkeys without harming them.
The move reflects a growing preference for behavior-based wildlife management rather than forceful removal. If successful, the strategy could be expanded to other government offices facing similar issues.
Public Reaction and Broader Significance
The proposal has quickly caught public attention, with many praising its creativity and others questioning its long-term effectiveness. Wildlife experts, however, note that monkeys are intelligent animals and may eventually adapt—meaning the method may need to be used alongside other preventive measures like better waste management and restricted food access.
Still, the initiative highlights how urban governance is increasingly experimenting with innovative, low-impact solutions to everyday civic problems.
