On Thursday, urban development minister M Venkiah Naidu acknowledged through a written reply in Rajya Sabha that men have been posing as langurs to keep the monkey menace in check. According to NDMC sources, the practice started after real langurs were barred from being kept in captivity. By all accounts, the human 'langurs' have proved to be effective in their new role. NDMC sources said the men are paid Rs 700-800 (£7-£8, $11.50-$13) per 'visit' and have not been hired permanently. They get work for around 10-15 days a month, earning anywhere between Rs 7000 to 10,000.
NDMC sources said while it would take time, the 'langur men' would continue to do their job until all the monkeys left the area. The men disguised as langurs are also armed with rubber bullets to drive away the simians. Until last year, Delhi's streets were patrolled by actual langurs. But because of change in law in November 2012 this practice ended. "These young men have trained themselves to pose as langurs. We have no option but to hire them because, as per law, even an officer who calls for langur and its master to drive away monkeys can be booked and jailed," said a senior official.
Monkeys, often moving in large groups foraging for food, pose a threat to people in the high security zone housing central government ministries. "We are no more using air guns to scare away monkeys. Only rubber bullets are used. We also use electric strips which give out a minor shock to animals when they touch them. The monkeys are only stunned, not harmed in any other way. We are taking all possible steps to address the concerns of all parties and trying to ensure that monkeys stay away," NDMC chairman Jalaj Srivastava said. He added that NDMC was also considering issuing extra taxes to those who keep bananas and other fruits on the roadside for monkeys to feed on.
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