Monkeys running amok, keep residents on edge

Hyderabad: It is no monkey business this. Fed up with monkeys entering homes, snatching fruits from passerby and forcing residents to stay behind closed doors and windows, the residents of Ramchander Singh Colony, Sriram Nagar Colony and neighbouring took it upon themselves to get rid of the monkey menace.

• Residents take it upon themselves to get rid of monkey menace

• Spend about Rs 5 lakh to capture; call expert catchers from Nellore

• Vexed colony residents paying Rs 500 for each monkey capture

• The monkeys being released in batches in Srisailam, Narsapur forests

Sudershan Reddy, president, Ramchander Singh Colony Welfare Association, said, "We approached the Peerzadiguda municipality but did not get support from officials. The lack of trained monkey catchers, they said was the reason. We decided to pool in money and brought 12 specialist monkey catchers from Nellore who have been staying here for the past few days and have caught more than 314 monkeys."

The monkeys are being released in batches in Srisailam and Narsapur forests. The residents are paying Rs 500 for each monkey capture and are bearing the expenses of food and accommodation of the monkey catchers. "We are spending close to Rs 5 lakh," says Sudershan Reddy.

The reason for so many monkeys making the area their home is attributed to the RTC Bus depot and workshop that has many sheds and shrubs. The simians find it a safe haven as no one dares venture inside the area. Ramu, a resident says, "The monkeys snatch food items from people's hands and also enter kitchens. Children have stopped going out and we keep the doors and windows closed all the time."

"The reduction in greenery in the city has led to monkeys invading homes. A large number shifted from Osmania University after a number of trees were felled in the recent years," says Madhulika Sen, a resident of DD Colony who is also a victim.

Central Excise Colony, DD Colony, West and East Marredpally, Uppal, Peerzadiguda and Koti are a few areas in the city where monkey menace is rampant. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Additional Commissioner, Sanitation, P Venkateshwar Reddy, says, "There are no monkey catchers in the East and South Zone. We are training people and would deploy them at the earliest. Last year we caught 339 monkeys and this year 39 have been captured."

An expert monkey catcher Amjad, a resident of Bolakpur is no longer rendering services to the civic body, but has trained quite a few who are now catching monkeys. Officials say, unlike the past, monkey catchers from UP are not showing interest and, as a result, there is a shortage.

Monkeys cannot just be released in the forests. There is a need to identify areas that have enough water and resources in the interiors and it is a big problem. Permission is to be taken for capture as well as release of monkeys

– A Shankaran (OSD-Wildlife)

Last year, 339 monkeys were caught and this year till date 39 has been captured. The number is decreasing with each passing year

– P Venkateshwar Reddy, Additional Commissioner, GHMC

We approached the Peerzadiguda municipality but it was of little help. Finally, the residents pooled in money and brought expert monkey catchers from Nellore

- Sudershan Reddy, president, Ramchander Singh Colony