India, April 27 -- In a move aimed at strengthening its response to rising human-wildlife conflict, the Maharashtra government has doubled the compensation for capturing and relocating monkeys to Rs.600 per animal, up from the earlier Rs.300.

The revised compensation was formalised through a Government Resolution (GR) issued on April 22. The decision builds on an existing standard operating procedure (SOP) introduced in April last year for the safe capture and release of conflict-prone species such as rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and langurs (Semnopithecus entellus).

As per the earlier GR, the maximum expenditure for such rescue operations, including logistical costs, remains capped at Rs.15,000 per case.

Officials said the latest ...