In a bid to tackle simian menace, Telangana government today issued orders for setting up a 'Monkey Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre' in Nirmal area of Adilabad district with an investment of Rs 2.21 crore.
Principal Chief Conservator of Forests had earlier in a report said there was serious man-animal conflict in both rural and urban areas due to increased pressure on forest habitats, coupled with increased population of monkeys.
"The problem is more severe in areas adjoining the forest, where the burgeoning human population resulting into generation of more waste and agricultural lands with crops like millets, cereals, groundnuts, etc. Are attracting monkeys from adjoining forest areas and causing damage to agriculture corps and heavy loss to farmers", the Forest Official had said.
The religious beliefs and value attached to monkeys also desist villagers either from killing or from other measures. All these factors have contributed to the increasing conflict between the monkeys and the human beings, the official said.
"After careful examination of the proposal of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (HoFF), Telangana State government hereby order establishment of Monkey Rescue & Rehabilitation Centre at Chincholi near Nirmal in Adilabad district, as pilot project, at a cost of Rs. 221.10 lakhs," the government order said.
