The Delhi High Court today sought the assistance of Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for controlling the population of monkeys in the national capital.
A bench of Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar was informed that ICMR, the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, has conducted a study on the issue of controlling the birth rate of monkeys.
It also sought a report from the Centre on constitution of a high-level committee to examine the issue of safety, security and efficacy of immune-contraception vaccine to control the population of monkeys in Delhi.
It was informed by Additional Solicitor General Maninder Kaur Acharya that a proposal has been moved for forming a committee to examine the issue of the contraceptive vaccine.
The bench, which observed it was concerned for human safety, noted that in Tamil Nadu monkeys were spreading an infection in humans which was dangerous.
Advocate Meera Bhatia, who has filed the PIL in 2001 seeking directions to the authorities to take steps to deal with the menace of monkeys and dogs here, said its been 17 years she has been fighting for this cause and the government has not done anything.
Regarding the menace of dogs in south Delhi, the court was informed by the corporation that they have contracted out to NGOs for sterilisation of canines.
Observing that there has been no effective result on dog’s population, the court called for videographing the sterilisation process.
It also formed a committee to check on the effectiveness of birth control measures.
The court had earlier directed the Wildlife Institute of India to expedite the conclusion of the National Institute of Immunology’s (NII) project to research and develop an immune-contraception vaccine to control the population of monkeys in the national capital.
In the PIL, an application has also been moved by residents of colonies and farmhouses surrounding the Asola sanctuary seeking directions to the authorities to stop relocating monkeys to the area.
