Special Squads To Curb Monkey Menace In Odisha; Minister Informs Assembly

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Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government forms special squads to deal with the menace posed by monkeys in different parts of the state, the Assembly was informed on Tuesday.

Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Khuntia gave this information while replying a question by Kendrapada MLA Ganeswar Behera.

Anti-depredation teams are deployed in every forest division tackle monkey menace. The team members are engaged to drive away monkeys creating nuisance in human settlements, the Minister said.

Ultrasonic monkey repellant is also used by the members of the squad to scare away the animals, he said.

Stating that ‘monkey squads’ have been formed in areas of sensitive forest divisions, the Minister said experienced ‘Mankedia’ communities are being roped in to capture monkeys in different areas.

Wherever necessary, problematic monkeys are being tranquilised and relocated to distant forests, while efforts are also being made to make people aware and tell them not to feed the animals, Khuntia said.

Regarding damage caused by elephants to agriculture crops and other property, the Minister said special teams are engaged in different areas to drive back the animals into the forests.

The government is also installing solar fencing in areas prone to jumbo menace in order to protect crops under ‘Gan Suraksha Gaj Suraksha’, he said, adding that 50 per cent subsidy is provided or individual beneficiaries and 10 per cent subsidy for groups.