Thiruvananthapuram: Monkeys and pigs make life difficult for these villagers

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vellarada, a small panchayat in the district, has been facing issues created by monkeys and wild pigs. According to residents, monkeys arrive in packs of five to ten at a time, barge into the kitchen and gobble up tomatoes, coconuts and even cooked food.
Pannimala, Kakkathooky, Covilloor, Meethy and Arattukuzhy are the wards affected by the menace.
“Tapiocas and sweet potatoes cannot be cultivated here. Wild pigs dig these up during the night. During day, monkeys attack everything else. Coconuts are their favourites. They come just in time to drink all the juice, eat the kernel and leave nothing behind,” said Kakkathooky ward member K Leela.
In defence, people have tried everything. They burst firecrackers, spread thorns all over and cover vegetables with plastic. The animals outsmart everything and nothing seems to deter them. Perumkadavila block panchayat president Shine Kumar said authorities have not come up with any solution to the issue.
“This is the biggest concern raised by people during the grama sabha. Forest officials have not responded to our pleas. We had sent a complaint to minister G R Anil a month ago, which also did not incite any response,” he said.
Spinach, chillies and ladies fingers are the only solace to farmers which are apparently not preferred by either of the animals.
“There is absolutely nothing we can do further. Now, it has grown worse as they have started leaving behind empty coconuts atop the trees,” said Varghese, a coconut farmer.