Delhi, India – Organizers of the upcoming Badminton World Championships in India have adopted an unconventional strategy to prevent animal intrusions, hiring three individuals trained to mimic langur calls to deter monkeys. This unusual measure comes after significant disruptions at the India Open earlier this year.
During the India Open, a monkey was observed in both the stands and practice halls of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in Delhi, leading to players and spectators capturing images and videos that caused embarrassment for the organizers on an international stage. The annual badminton event also faced issues with pigeons roosting and leaving droppings on the courts and practice areas.
In response, the stadium, set to host the BWF World Championships 2026 starting on August 17, has undergone a comprehensive overhaul. Ventilator openings have been sealed, broken windows repaired, and all 16 entrances to the inner hall now feature double doors to prevent animal access.
According to the Indian Express, an anti-pest gel has been applied to air-conditioning pipes to discourage pigeons, and a patented US-made device emitting sounds to repel birds will also be deployed.
Complementing these structural and technological improvements, three men have been employed specifically to mimic the vocalizations of langurs, a known deterrent for rhesus macaques. "It’s not just me. There are two other guys with me," said Jabbar, one of the langur-mimics identified by local media. "When we make these calls, monkeys just run away. We also ensure monkeys don’t run into people or cars, etc. We time the mimicking accordingly. This vocal method is quite effective." He further explained to the Hindustan Times that while employment is not always consistent, "we do keep getting work from time to time. There are many of us who do it."
Historically, trained grey langurs were used to ward off monkeys in public spaces due to the macaques’ natural fear of them. However, this practice was discontinued after langurs were protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, prohibiting their capture, private ownership, or use for guard duties.
Langurs were notably deployed during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. More recently, at the G20 Summit in 2023, organizers relied on human mimics and life-size langur cut-outs to deter macaques. Another mimic, identified as Zafar, told Reuters, "Monkeys are absolutely terrified of langurs, which is why mimicking is so effective. I have served in several government offices and the idea is not to harm the monkeys, but just to make sure they won’t come."
Mr. Jabbar shared with the Indian Express that his mimicry skill is a family tradition, passed down through generations. "I learnt it from my father, but don’t want my son to do it," he stated.
Star Indian badminton player and former world champion PV Sindhu expressed support for the initiative. "You can laugh at the solution, but you have to love the effort," she posted online. "So many people are working behind the scenes to make sure India is ready to welcome the world. Our solutions may be uniquely Indian, but so are our warmth, our spirit and our hospitality."
Sanjay Mishra, general secretary of the Badminton Association of India, informed Sportstar that issues with stadium lighting identified during the previous tournament have also been addressed, with the system upgraded for the World Championships. Ambar Pratap Singh, executive director of the Sports Authority of India, added that the refurbishment includes renovating 2,500 seats and 57 of the stadium complex’s 66 toilets.
This marks the second time India will host the World Championships, having previously organized the event in 2009 in Hyderabad. Following criticism of the India Open, the country’s capability to host a prestigious event like the BWF World Championships had come under scrutiny.
The tournament is expected to feature top players including Shi Yu Qi, Akane Yamaguchi, Kim Won Ho, Seo Seung Jae, Liu Sheng Shu, Tan Ning, Chen Tang Jie, and Toh Ee Wei. Representing the host nation will be PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty.
