Why Rajasthan's Monkeys Know the Address to Return After Being Relocated:

In a rare and lively debate, the Rajasthan Assembly spent nearly 22 minutes on February 23, 2026, discussing the escalating "monkey menace" in the state. The issue was brought to the floor by Congress MLA from Shahpura, Manish Yadav, who presented startling data to highlight the severity of the problem.

The "Grandfather" Logic and Humor

The debate was a mix of serious concern and unexpected humor. Minister Jhabar Singh Kharra, while responding to the motion, took a trip down memory lane and even touched on biology:

The "Ancestors" Comment: Kharra remarked that according to biology, monkeys are human ancestors. He jokingly added that these "former ancestors" have now become quite mischievous, invading kitchens, tearing clothes, and breaking utensils.

Nostalgia: He recalled that 50 to 60 years ago, "Madaris" (jugglers) would bring monkeys to show children, but now the monkeys have taken over residential neighborhoods.

Alarming Statistics

Manish Yadav shifted the tone back to urgency by providing data from his constituency, Shahpura:

He revealed that in the past year alone, 4,200 anti-rabies injections were administered in his area.

Out of these, nearly 4,000 cases were due to monkey bites.

Yadav emphasized that entire families are living in fear, and some residents have even considered leaving the area due to the safety risk.

Why the Menace is Increasing?

Minister Kharra identified several reasons for the "monkey invasion" in urban areas:

Shrinking Habitats: Traditional homes for monkeys like Galta Ji, Sariska, and Sawai Madhopur are under pressure.

Food Shortage: Increased population and less feeding by devotees in forest areas have forced monkeys to look for food in cities.

The "GPS" Problem: The Minister quipped that when local bodies capture monkeys and release them in the wild, they return within a week "as if they know the address."

The Proposed Solution

The Minister noted that because the Forest Department has delisted monkeys from the "wild animal" category, it has created administrative confusion. He proposed that the Forest Department needs to create designated "feeding and habitation zones" to keep the animals away from human settlements.

The state government has now authorized District Collectors to oversee action and has invited suggestions from all MLAs to draft a permanent “Monkey Management Policy.”