The court has taken suo moto action by including the Animal Welfare Board of India as a party in the Public Interest Litigation and other petitions related to the matter.
A Division Bench, headed by Chief Justice M.S. Ramachandra Rao and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, issued a directive to the Animal Welfare Board and the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying to come up with suggestions to tackle the monkey menace in Shimla.
The court has also urged the Advocate General to seek input from other organizations that have successfully dealt with similar issues, such as the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams in Andhra Pradesh, and submit a report on the matter.
The Municipal Corporation of Shimla has already submitted an affidavit of compliance. The petitions will be heard again on 17th July 2023.
The High Court's intervention brings hope for the residents of Shimla who have been suffering from the nuisance caused by monkeys and stray dogs.
