Monkey menace leaves Gund villages in fear

Kangan, Aug 16: The residents of various areas of tehsil Gund in Kangan area of Ganderbal district have complained about the menace of monkeys in their areas for last several years accusing the authorities particularly the wildlife department of being negligent about the issue.

The locals said that huge flocks of monkeys have wreaked havoc in many villages of this tehsil with people apprehensive of their safety. “Monkeys have posed a threat to the crops as well here in Sumbal, Surfraw , Ganiwan and other adjoining villages, located close to forests," the locals said. They said that the residents watch helplessly while the monkeys damage their crops, even attack them as well.

The residents from these areas of tehsil Gund complained that the monkeys are destroying their standing crops for last several months adding that this has became a major concern for them. " The monkeys from the nearby forest continue to damage the crops particularly maize crop for last several months here , adding that despite informing this to concerned wildlife department nothing has been done to stop this" a group of locals from sumbal area told Greater Kashmir. They said monkeys cause a substantial loss to fruit crops, maize etc which has become a major concern for the farmers. " For a few years now, the small farmers of these areas have faced an unusual threat from hungry wildlife whose forest habitats are in decline" a local said.

The locals further said that these animals are harming crops, livestock and even people here due to which the people have become panicky.

In some villages, almost entire crops have been damaged on a yearly basis, threatening to bring food insecurity for small farmers living in and around traditional forest areas.

“The monkeys don’t spare any crop in our fields,” said Abdul Salam, a resident of Sumbal village pointing to the devoured shoots of his maize plants. “They have destroyed our fruit crops too" they added. The residents have urged the wildlife department to take necessary measures to stop this menace .