Nagpur: With the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) and forest department having given up on tackling the problem, monkey menace has come to haunt Bharat Nagar residents again.
In February 2012, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had disposed of a petition against the problem after NMC and forest department assured to take steps to ward off the threat. At least 44 rhesus macaques (red-faced monkeys) were captured then and released in their natural habitats.
Rhesus macaque troops inhabit a great variety of habitats, from grasslands to arid and forested areas, but also live close to human settlements. The species of monkey is listed under Schedule II (Part I) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
There are several such troops in the vast stretch of land belonging to Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth's (PDKV) College of Agriculture at Telangkhedi. Residents told TOI that in the last 15 days the monkeys are back in the residential areas.
"The langurs cross the Telangkhedi boundary wall and sneak into the houses," said Vijay Jathe, a resident of plot number 20, Bharat Nagar.
Being close to the wall, Jathe's place is more vulnerable to monkey menace. "Two years ago a monkey bit my daughter. With the menace getting worse, I have installed grills on all doors and windows. At times, the monkeys also rip apart seat covers of two-wheelers. The cages kept to trap monkeys have been withdrawn by NMC," said Jathe.
Jyoti Deoghare, a housewife who resides on the second floor of an apartment, said three days ago a troop of 10 monkeys entered her kitchen and targeted food and groceries. "The animals get irritated and try to attack when shooed away," she said.
Many other residents too told TOI about similar complaints, especially from those who were residing adjacent to the PDKV's compound wall. As the menace has started in the last few days and there have been no attacks on the residents, they have not lodged any complaint with local corporators or civic authorities.
Another resident, Shrikant Bhoge said though steel grills have been installed by many residents, the monkeys target food material kept on the terrace too. "Three days ago, the langurs feasted on rice spread on the terrace. The administration should take early steps before the problem becomes worse," he added.
Municipal commissioner Ashwin Mudgal said, "Though the NMC doesn't have expertise in catching monkeys, we will certainly look into the problem. I will also talk to the forest officials to take up a joint operation."
Promising immediate action, local BJP corporator Pragati Patil said, "It will need to be a continuous efforts and monkey catchers will have to be roped in."
In February 2012, the Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court had disposed of a petition against the problem after NMC and forest department assured to take steps to ward off the threat. At least 44 rhesus macaques (red-faced monkeys) were captured then and released in their natural habitats.
Rhesus macaque troops inhabit a great variety of habitats, from grasslands to arid and forested areas, but also live close to human settlements. The species of monkey is listed under Schedule II (Part I) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
There are several such troops in the vast stretch of land belonging to Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth's (PDKV) College of Agriculture at Telangkhedi. Residents told TOI that in the last 15 days the monkeys are back in the residential areas.
"The langurs cross the Telangkhedi boundary wall and sneak into the houses," said Vijay Jathe, a resident of plot number 20, Bharat Nagar.
Being close to the wall, Jathe's place is more vulnerable to monkey menace. "Two years ago a monkey bit my daughter. With the menace getting worse, I have installed grills on all doors and windows. At times, the monkeys also rip apart seat covers of two-wheelers. The cages kept to trap monkeys have been withdrawn by NMC," said Jathe.
Jyoti Deoghare, a housewife who resides on the second floor of an apartment, said three days ago a troop of 10 monkeys entered her kitchen and targeted food and groceries. "The animals get irritated and try to attack when shooed away," she said.
Many other residents too told TOI about similar complaints, especially from those who were residing adjacent to the PDKV's compound wall. As the menace has started in the last few days and there have been no attacks on the residents, they have not lodged any complaint with local corporators or civic authorities.
Another resident, Shrikant Bhoge said though steel grills have been installed by many residents, the monkeys target food material kept on the terrace too. "Three days ago, the langurs feasted on rice spread on the terrace. The administration should take early steps before the problem becomes worse," he added.
Municipal commissioner Ashwin Mudgal said, "Though the NMC doesn't have expertise in catching monkeys, we will certainly look into the problem. I will also talk to the forest officials to take up a joint operation."
Promising immediate action, local BJP corporator Pragati Patil said, "It will need to be a continuous efforts and monkey catchers will have to be roped in."
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