Monkey Problem Between Villages Creates New Challenge for Sarpanches
Rising monkey problem in several villages has become a major challenge for newly elected sarpanches as animals captured and released nearby continue moving between villages and troubling residents.
- Monkey problem creates challenges for sarpanches in villages.
- Villages struggle to control monkey problem affecting crops.
- Sarpanches deploy teams to capture monkeys from villages.
A growing monkey problem across several villages has turned into a major concern for residents and newly elected sarpanches. What once became a key election issue during local body polls is now proving difficult to solve on the ground.
During the panchayat elections, many candidates promised villagers that they would remove monkeys from residential areas if elected. However, the reality after the elections has become far more complicated as the animals continue to trouble multiple villages.
In many places, large groups of monkeys are damaging crops and entering residential areas in search of food. Their sudden attacks and constant presence have created fear and frustration among villagers, especially farmers who are facing crop losses.
To address the situation, some sarpanches have hired monkey catchers to capture the animals and relocate them to nearby forest areas. However, this solution has led to a new problem. The monkeys released near forests or hill areas often move into neighbouring villages, spreading the issue rather than solving it.
As a result, disputes are emerging between villages over where the captured monkeys are being released. Residents say that once the animals are dropped near their locality, the monkey problem begins again and becomes difficult to control.
A recent example has been reported from Bheemadevarapalli major gram panchayat in Hanumakonda district where the monkey problem has intensified. Monkeys captured in nearby villages were reportedly released on Budida Gutta hill located close to Bheemadevarapalli.
Over time, large groups of monkeys from that hill area began entering the village and damaging crops and household items. Villagers complained that daily life was becoming increasingly difficult due to the animals.
Responding to the complaints, the village sarpanch Kumaraswamy arranged special teams of monkey catchers to handle the situation. Nearly four hundred monkeys were captured using cages and later transported to distant forest areas to reduce their return to the village.
Despite these efforts, residents of nearby villages remain worried. They say releasing monkeys close to their settlements only shifts the problem rather than resolving it permanently.
With the monkey problem spreading from one village to another, sarpanches and villagers are now searching for a more sustainable solution that can protect crops and restore peace in rural communities.
