SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir received Rs 1.97 crore under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Development of Wildlife Habitats during the three financial years from 2023-24 to 2025-26, while Ladakh was allocated Rs 6 lakh during the period, according to a Lok Sabha reply.
The figures show that JK received Rs 69.58 lakh in 2023-24, Rs 73.97 lakh in 2024-25 and Rs 53.15 lakh in 2025-26. Ladakh received Rs 6 lakh in 2023-24, while no funds were released to the Union Territory in the following two financial years.
The details were provided by Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2325, answered on August 3, 2026, regarding measures to curb the monkey menace.
The Ministry said the Rhesus macaque is the major monkey species involved in negative interactions in different parts of Delhi and is not protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Its management is therefore undertaken by local civic bodies under the relevant laws and directions of the Delhi High Court dated March 14, 2007.
The Government said financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territory Administrations under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats for wildlife and habitat management, including measures to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.
The assistance can be used for activities such as procurement of early warning systems and construction or installation of physical barriers, including solar-powered electric fencing, bio-fencing, trenches and boundary walls, to prevent damage caused by wild animals to crops, livestock and property and to reduce loss of life. Rapid Response Teams and community stewards are also deployed to address human-wildlife conflict.
Nationally, funds released under the Development of Wildlife Habitats scheme stood at Rs 99.88 crore in 2023-24, Rs 131.71 crore in 2024-25 and Rs 95.20 crore in 2025-26. JK’s annual share ranged between Rs 53.15 lakh and Rs 73.97 lakh during the period.
The Ministry clarified that funds were not released in certain cases where no expenditure was reported, proposals were not received from States or the proposals submitted did not meet the prescribed requirements.
