Panchkula Residents Turn to 'Monkey Men' as Municipal Solutions Fail
In Panchkula's Sector 25, the morning routine for residents now includes an unusual sound: the distinctive call of a langoor, expertly mimicked by local men hired to combat a persistent monkey problem. With the Panchkula Municipal Corporation unable to secure an agency despite multiple tenders, the community, supported by the Nada Sahib Gurdwara management, has resorted to employing these specialists to protect their homes from relentless simian invasions.
Neighbourhood Struggles with Simian Chaos
Located near forested areas, this neighbourhood has long faced challenges with monkeys entering homes, causing property damage, and even attacking residents. The situation has escalated to an unbearable level, prompting desperate measures from the affected families.
The 'Monkey Man' and His Unique Skills
Yosuaf Ali, a resident of Maloya who works in Sector 25, begins his day with a sound most people cannot replicate—a perfect langoor call that sends monkeys scrambling off rooftops. He patrols the lanes from 10 am to 6 pm, using these calls to drive the monkeys away.
"We once kept langoors and used to take them to affected areas. After a ban was imposed on keeping langoors, we learnt the sounds ourselves as we lived with them for years," Yosuaf explained.
He noted that monkeys recognize his voice, making his calls more effective. "New monkeys sometimes don't budge—I have to catch them and make the sound up close. I've even been bitten while doing this. My brother does the same job at Nada Sahib Gurdwara," he added, highlighting the risks involved in this unconventional profession.
Residents Voice Their Frustrations
Sandhya Gupta, a resident of Sector 25, described how groups of 20 monkeys roam the area daily, scattering garbage and damaging homes. "By the time the monkey man arrives, the chaos is already done. We need a permanent solution," she emphasized, reflecting the community's growing impatience.
Another resident, Mohit Gupta, reported that monkeys arrive in large troops, attacking people, destroying gardens, and littering homes. He called for comprehensive measures, including:
- Sterilisation programs
- Relocation of monkeys
- Strict action against residents who attract monkeys by feeding them
"Court orders haven't helped so far," Mohit lamented, pointing to the lack of enforcement.
Legal Directives and Municipal Inaction
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had previously observed in a case that the Panchkula Municipal Corporation would 'do well if they set up a special monkey sterilisation centre' to neutralise the monkeys. The court ordered a population census as an 'essential prerequisite' before carrying out a large-scale sterilisation drive. Additionally, the municipal corporation was directed to ensure the area remained 'rubbish-free' to prevent monkeys from being drawn to residential spots by garbage.
Despite these clear directives, the municipal corporation's failure to implement these solutions has left residents relying on temporary fixes like hiring 'monkey men,' underscoring a broader issue of governance and wildlife management in urban areas.
