Maharashtra Announces ₹600 Incentive Per Monkey to Tackle Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict

Maharashtra government introduces ₹600 incentive for safe monkey capture and relocation amid rising human-wildlife conflict across urban and rural areas.

Pune, 28 April, 2026: In a significant step to address the growing conflict between humans and wildlife, the Maharashtra government has introduced a revised compensation scheme that offers ₹600 for every monkey safely captured and relocated from human settlements. The decision comes amid a sharp rise in complaints from both urban and rural areas, where monkeys have increasingly been entering residential localities, farms, and public spaces, causing damage and safety concerns.

According to a Government Resolution issued by the Revenue and Forest Department on April 22, 2026, the state has doubled the earlier compensation amount from ₹300 to ₹600 per animal. Officials said the revised rate was introduced after repeated requests from public representatives and field authorities, who highlighted the operational risks and rising costs involved in rescue missions.

The initiative mainly targets Rhesus macaques and Hanuman langurs, species that have been increasingly sighted in residential and semi-urban areas across Maharashtra. Authorities believe the surge in such incidents is linked to shrinking forest cover, rapid urbanisation, and easy access to food waste in public places. These factors have pushed the animals closer to human settlements, leading to frequent crop damage, property loss, and concerns over public safety.

As per the revised framework, only trained individuals or authorised rescue agencies involved in the safe capture and release of monkeys will be eligible for the incentive. The government has laid down strict guidelines to ensure that the operation remains humane and compliant with wildlife protection norms. Monkeys must be captured using safe methods such as nets and cages, and each rescue operation must be properly documented with photographic evidence. Once captured, the animals are to be released into forest areas at least 10 kilometres away from human habitations to reduce the chances of them returning.

The move is expected to particularly benefit districts in western Maharashtra and the Konkan belt, where human-monkey conflict has been a recurring issue. Areas such as Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg, and parts of Pune district have reported frequent incidents involving crop destruction and monkey intrusions into homes and warehouses. In several cases, residents have complained of monkeys damaging food stock, household items, and even creating panic in crowded public spaces.

Wildlife experts have welcomed the revision, stating that the higher compensation will encourage faster response from trained rescuers and make such operations financially viable. However, they also stressed that long-term solutions must include better waste management, public awareness against feeding monkeys, and habitat

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