Shimla, March 11,
A delegation from the Shimla Nagrik Sabha met with Mayor of Shimla Municipal Corporation, Surender Chauhan, and submitted a memorandum demanding an immediate solution to the growing problem of monkeys and stray dogs in the city. The Nagrik Sabha warned that if the issue is not addressed promptly, they would mobilize the citizens of Shimla and intensify their agitation.
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The delegation included Nagrik Sabha co-convener Vijender Mehra, Jagat Ram, Summerhill councillor Virender Thakur, Vivek Kashyap, Dr. Rajendra Chauhan, Dr. Vijay Kaushal, Kishori Dhatwalia, Ranjeev Kuthiala, Sunil Vashisht, Rajeev Chauhan, and Ram Prakash.
Speaking on the matter, Vijender Mehra, Jagat Ram, and Vivek Kashyap stated that the terror of monkeys and stray dogs in Shimla has reached alarming levels. Incidents of people being attacked and bitten by these animals have become common. Monkeys and stray dogs roam freely on Mall Road, frequently attacking residents and tourists alike.
Over the past few years, several deaths and accidents caused by monkey attacks have been reported in and around Shimla. The deaths in areas like Dhanda and other parts of the city stand as evidence of this growing menace. A few months ago, a private school student from Kaithu was seriously injured after falling from a significant height due to a monkey attack near the Evening College on Mall Road. The student had to spend several days in the ICU and remained hospitalized at IGMC for an extended period.
Also read:Himachal HC impleads Animal Welfare Board in PIL on menace of monkeys and stray dogs in Shimla
The delegation highlighted that thousands of tourists visiting Shimla also fall victim to these attacks, with incidents of monkeys snatching belongings becoming increasingly common. They criticized the municipal administration’s lack of effective action on this issue over the years, stating that no concrete initiatives have been taken despite the worsening situation.
The Nagrik Sabha recalled that a former Chief Justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court had once proposed a plan for dealing with the monkey menace in Shimla based on the successful model implemented in a South Indian city. However, this proposal was never implemented by the municipal corporation.
The delegation urged the Shimla Municipal Corporation to work with the state and central governments to declare monkeys as vermin and push for their scientific culling. They also suggested organizing public awareness campaigns to discourage people from feeding monkeys and stray dogs and creating unauthorized feeding zones.
Finally, the Nagrik Sabha demanded that the municipal corporation pass a resolution in the next house meeting to address this issue and formulate a comprehensive plan, including both immediate and long-term solutions, to resolve the monkey and stray dog menace in Shimla.
