Maharashtra has rolled out a targeted intervention to address the rising human-monkey conflict, offering monetary incentives for the safe capture and relocation of monkeys entering human settlements.
According to a Government Resolution issued by the state's Revenue and Forest Department on April 22, 2026, individuals involved in rescue operations will receive ₹600 per monkey.
The decision comes amid sustained demands from public representatives to enhance compensation, citing the risks and logistical hurdles in handling such operations.
The initiative focuses on species such as rhesus macaques and Hanuman langurs, whose growing presence in urban and semi-urban areas has been linked to shrinking forest habitats and easy access to food through unmanaged waste.
Authorities note that these encounters have resulted in crop losses, property damage and occasional threats to human safety.
To ensure humane handling, the government has mandated strict protocols. Monkeys must be captured using safe methods like nets or cages, with each operation backed by photographic documentation. The animals will then be relocated to forest zones at least 10 kilometres away from human habitations to minimise their return.
Officials said the incentive aims to provide immediate relief to affected communities while adhering to wildlife protection norms. "All existing rules will continue alongside this framework," they noted, underlining the need to balance public safety with conservation concerns.