Monkey menace The fearsome-looking langur monkeys now patrol South Block, the magnificent red sandstone complex that houses the. defence, external affairs and finance ministries - as well as the army headquarters and Delhi's main hospital - snarling menacingly at intruders. Each receives a salary of 600 rupees ($25.46) a month, paid in bananas. Monkeys have plagued Delhi's government offices and private houses for several years, raiding fridges, snapping power lines and taking free bus rides. Recently, though, the problem has become almost uncontrollable, and several million rhesus monkeys swarm over the capital. At least 10,000 have taken up residence in South Block. Friday , November 26, 2004 – Chandigarh Hostelites complain that over 70 to 80 monkeys are usually present in the area from morning to evening. ‘‘They usually come in groups of 10 or more and at times, even ransack our rooms. If we try to shoo them away, they attack us,’’ said a student. The hostelites have now complained to Deputy Conservator of Forests-cum- Chief Wildlife Warden Ishwar Singh who said: ‘‘We will lay traps to catch the monkeys. Though the probability of catching them is 10 per cent, but once the monkeys know traps have been laid in the area, they usually stop going there.’’ How to deal with ’em * Do not make direct eye contact with monkeys. * Never cross the path between a monkey and its infant. * While passing through a group of monkeys, be light-footed. Running disturbs the serenity of their environment and agitates them. * Do not go near a wounded or dead monkey. * Food must not be available to monkeys near your house. * If a monkey collides with your vehicle, do not stop. The monkey group could attack you in retaliation. * If a monkey makes a ‘kho-kho’ noise, do not get scared as normally, it is a bluff. Just walk away calmly. * To make monkeys leave your garden, keep hitting the ground with a stick. * Presence of big dogs like Doberman or bigger primates like langurs will make monkeys leave the premises. * Loud, heavy noise, bursting of crackers or their sound track will also make monkeys leave. * Monkeys are scared of snakes. So, real looking, wriggling plastic snakes also do the trick. Monkey problem Is there any safe way to control monkey menace in my coconut garden as I don’t want to hurt them by using fireworks, guard dogs or traps? T. Ram Mohan Pollachi, Tamil Nadu Leave rice balls mixed with some red chilli powder around your coconut garden and near the trees. Take care to see that there is no water available
