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Catchers from Raebareli fail to turn up
It is not just the stray dogs and chain snatchers that are giving the residents sleepless nights; it is also the 2,000-odd monkeys in the twin-cities that are scaring the day-lights out of people.
With no professional monkey catchers available, GHMC’s efforts are literally turning into a wild goose chase
No monkey business this!
- There are close to 2,000-odd monkeys in the twin-cities.
- Each family consisting of 15-20 move in groups from one area to another. Monkeys flee and climb buildings and trees with ease making it difficult for catchers.
- The GHMC is ready to pay Rs 1,050 per monkey but not a single person has come forward.
- Each of the five zones has enough budget to is underutilised for want of professional catchers.
- 126 monkeys were caught during 2014-15 and 90 during 15-16 period.
It is not just the stray dogs and chain snatchers that are giving the residents sleepless nights; it is also the 2,000-odd monkeys in the twin-cities that are scaring the day-lights out of people.
With monkey catchers from Raebareli failing to keep up their promise of coming to Hyderabad, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is now relying on its own staff to trap monkeys.
In spite, of increasing the remuneration from Rs 600 to Rs 1,050 per monkey caught, there are no takers for the job. Repeated requests from the corporation to bring money catchers from Uttar Pradesh failed.
P Venkateshwar Reddy, GHMC Chief Veterinary Officer says, “It is becoming difficult to get monkey catchers but we are catching two to three monkeys every day. We have had success in some areas, such as Koti. Now we are concentrating in Central Excise Colony and Padma Nagar.”
It is more than three years since professional monkey catchers were used. For the last couple of years the GHMC staff is doubling up to catch monkeys. In the absence of professionals, Azeemuddin, a driver with GHMC has been setting up traps and has caught 450 monkeys.
Overall, 20 traps have been placed in areas where monkey menace is rampant, such as Dharam Karam Road, Ameerpet, West Marredpally, Himayatnagar Street No 6, Central Excise Colony, Chikkadpally and other places.
Presently there are close to 100 monkeys in GHMC’s animal shelters. Officials say that once they get the nod from the Forest Department the simians would be taken and let off deep in the forests of Warangal, Adilabad and Khammam.
Monkeys are making their way to the twin-cities from Narsapur Reserve Forest as they find it hard to get enough food. About 15-20 monkeys of different age groups move together from one place to another. Their first stop is Secunderababd Cantonment and the residents of West Marredpally are the worst hit.
The annual budget for each of the five zones for animal related issues that includes catching of stray dogs and sterilisation is about Rs 70-80 lakh. Getting monkey catchers from UP, quick clearances from the Forest Department and a strategy to see that monkeys remain in forests can keep them away.
By: T P Venu
