The Delhi Assembly has proposed a renewed strategy to deal with the persistent problem of rhesus macaques entering the Vidhan Sabha premises, highlighting a broader urban wildlife challenge faced by cities across India. Authorities are planning to deploy trained personnel capable of mimicking langur calls, a method widely regarded as effective and non-lethal in deterring rhesus macaques from sensitive locations.

Officials associated with the Assembly complex have reported the presence of dozens of rhesus macaques in and around the premises. The animals frequently climb on electrical wires, damage dish antennas, and enter buildings, creating safety concerns for legislators, staff, and visitors. Repeated incursions into offices and corridors have disrupted daily operations and raised fears of injuries and infrastructure damage.

To address the issue, the Public Works Department has floated a tender to hire trained handlers who can imitate the calls of langurs, a natural predator of rhesus macaques. This sound-based deterrence technique has been used earlier in several government offices and residential areas in the national capital. Officials believe the method is humane, as it relies on natural fear responses rather than physical force or capture.

The proposal includes deploying trained personnel on all working days and Saturdays, with each handler assigned an eight-hour shift. The selected agency will be responsible for ensuring proper equipment, discipline, adherence to safety norms, and insurance coverage for deployed workers. Authorities have also indicated that performance-based monitoring will be used to assess the effectiveness of the intervention.

Previous attempts to deter rhesus macaques using langur cutouts were found to be ineffective, as the animals gradually became accustomed to them. In many cases, rhesus macaques were seen sitting atop the cutouts, rendering the strategy futile. Officials said trained langur sound impersonators had earlier been engaged, but their contracts expired, necessitating the issuance of a fresh tender.

The presence of rhesus macaques in Delhi has been a long-standing urban challenge. Rapid urbanisation, loss of green spaces, and easy access to food waste have encouraged these primates to move into densely populated areas. Across the city, rhesus macaques are frequently reported entering homes, hospitals, courts, schools, and government offices, often resulting in injuries, panic, and property damage.

The issue is not limited to the national capital. Several cities and towns across India are struggling with rising rhesus macaque populations in urban and semi-urban environments. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh regularly report incidents involving rhesus macaques raiding crops, damaging public infrastructure, and attacking people.

In hill states, the problem has been particularly acute. Farmers have reported substantial losses due to rhesus macaques destroying fruit orchards and food crops. In some areas, schools and government buildings have been forced to install metal grills, nets, or barriers to prevent animals from entering classrooms and offices, while some institutions have altered working hours to reduce risks.

Authorities nationwide have experimented with multiple approaches to manage rhesus macaque populations, including sterilisation programmes, relocation efforts, public advisories discouraging feeding, and the use of deterrents such as sound devices and reflective materials. However, experts note that relocation often shifts the problem to new areas, while sterilisation initiatives require sustained funding and long-term commitment to achieve measurable results.

Wildlife experts have repeatedly emphasised that human behaviour plays a central role in escalating human–rhesus macaque conflict. The feeding of rhesus macaques for religious or cultural reasons, combined with inadequate waste management, has contributed to population growth and a reduced fear of humans. Over time, this has made rhesus macaques increasingly bold and aggressive in urban settings.

The Delhi Assembly’s renewed effort underscores the complexity of managing urban wildlife conflicts. While the use of langur sounds may provide temporary relief, officials acknowledge that long-term solutions will require coordinated policies, improved waste management, public awareness, and sustained wildlife management strategies at both city and national levels.