Chandigarh: Fruit plantation in Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary to restrict rogue monkeys

CHANDIGARH: The city forest department has begun fruit plantation in the Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) in order to restrict the rogue monkey population inside the forest. The fruit trees like berries, guava, jamun and even citrus species like lemon, orange etc are also being planted. The officials claimed to have captured around 700 monkeys from various parts of the city in last three years. The plantation will also serve twin purpose of regeneration of core area which had become quite disturbed with frequent trips of citizens.

Debendra Dalai, chief wildlife warden, said, "The department has been quite active in catching the monkeys from problem areas in last three years. Owing to scarcity of food in the Sukhna WLS, they would usually return to the city which nullify all our efforts. So in order to provide food to the monkeys as well as to other herbivores, the wildlife department has begun this initiative to grow fruit plants in the WLS."

Abdul Qayum, deputy conservator of forest, said that the department had hired a special vehicle to capture monkeys as well as rescue the animals and had achieved the new record by cutting the response time by reaching to the venue within half an hour of receiving the complaint from any corner of the city.

"Just two months ago, a sambar had got injured on sector 3,4,9 and 10 roundabout. We received complaint at 5.30 in the morning and our vehicle reached to the site within 22 minutes. The time taken was recorded before the high court which had taken suo motu notice of the incident," said Qayum.

Just a day before, TOI had reported about the wildlife officials altering the trekking plan, which was introduced just a month ago, for nature enthusiastic, removing the core area from it. The reason was to contain the wildlife which was forsaking the Sukhna WLS for undisturbed forests towards Haryana.

Qayum said that the fruit plantation would also help in regeneration of the core area and alluring its wildlife back which had got quite disturbed due to frequent footfall of the visitors in the area.