Locals weigh in legal options to chase monkeys

UDAYPUR, March 3: Udaypur locals have been forced into figuring out legal options to chase away monkeys that have recently not only destroyed crops in their farms but also have attacked food stock at home. Due to the menace, locals have been forced into guarding their farms and houses round the clock.  Locals claim that the monkeys had been entering into human settlements due to rapid deforestation in the district.

"Whatever the reason, monkeys have left the people very helpless and we need to find a solution," said Surya Katuwal, local of Udaypur. He added that the people are discussing whether to call the administration for help or not in order to keep the monkeys at bay. Katuwal stated that the people are not very clear about the wildlife related laws, however, want to involve the administration to avoid possible legal offences for attacking monkeys.


There are various types of monkeys in the hills, and the most mischievous are the red monkeys, locals claimed. Red monkeys, which destroy fruits and crops rather than eating them, refuse to move even humans try to shoo them away, they state. "Above all these monkeys are very dangerous as they attack humans mercilessly. They become more violent when they see women and children" Prem Bahadur Rai of Jante village said.

Locals of Hurdeni, Lekhani, Mayankhu, Rupatar, Okhle, Thanagau and Basbote, among other villages in the district have been affected the monkey menace.

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