Monkeys invade Medak, Siddipet

Large-scale deforestation and mining has resulted in monkeys leaving their natural habitat in large numbers and entering human habitations across Medak and Siddipet districts. In search of food, which is not available in the ever-decreasing forest cover, these simians have been migrating to villages and towns.

The District Forest Office in Medak has become a ‘hangout’ for these simians, which were seen chilling with their babies on top of the boundary wall of the office, some climbing the trees located on the periphery.

A Sanskrit writing on a concrete stone which reads ‘Vruksho Rakshati Rakshitaha,’ meaning ‘if you protect trees, they will protect you,’ is put up by the forest officials to create awareness among the people about the importance of growing and protecting trees.

Ironically, the monkeys were spotted sitting close to this stone on Tuesday as if they were trying to convey to the people that invading human habitations was not part of their plan, but a result of the kind of destruction humans have inflicted on them and their natural habitat.