Delhi forest department to plant fruit trees for 25,000 relocated monkeys in Asola

The forest department is planting more fruit and foliage trees at the Asola Wildlife Sanctuary to reduce the monkeys’ dependence on food supplied by humans. Every day, the department provides around 2,500 kg of fruits and vegetables at 13 feeding points for the rhesus macaque population in the sanctuary, a TOI report stated.

Rising monkey numbers due to relocation

Over the past ten years, the department has relocated at least 25,000 monkeys from various areas of Delhi to Asola. These monkeys, along with the sanctuary’s original population, have multiplied. “The relocation process began around 2009. Over the years, approximately 25,000 monkeys were sent to Asola. While the forest already had a large monkey population, the relocated ones mated and increased in number. Now, Asola has a sizable monkey population that requires feeding,” explained a forest official.

Daily feeding efforts continue

To prevent the monkeys from returning to urban areas, the department supplies fresh fruits such as bananas, musk melons, papaya, watermelon, cucumbers, tomatoes, and seasonal fruits like guava. Mother Dairy supports the supply chain for the 2,500 kg of produce delivered daily.

New plantations to help monkeys adapt

Officials say the aim is to help the monkeys become self-sufficient by relying on natural food sources. “The monkeys are often caught by MCD or rescued and, after treatment, are released in Asola. To ensure they adapt to their natural surroundings, we are planting a mix of ridge, foliage, and fruit-bearing trees, including amla, goolar, sehtoot, desi babool, kusum, guava, lasoda, kathal, bistendu, dhak, aam, and bel,” an official said.

Cost of feeding not officially updated

While the department did not reveal the current cost of maintaining the daily supply of fruits, a 2015 estimate placed the monthly expense at around ₹8 lakh.