Farmers across twelve mandals in Andhra Pradesh's Anakapalli district are reporting severe agricultural losses, but the culprit is not a typical pest or disease. The devastation is being caused by troops of marauding monkeys that have migrated from the neighbouring Alluri Sitarama Raju district, wreaking havoc on horticulture crops in border villages.
Administrative Hurdles Stall Capture Efforts
In response to the growing crisis, the Anakapalli district administration took action by bringing in a specialised team from Rajahmundry to capture the troublesome primates. However, these efforts have hit a significant roadblock. The forest department authorities from Alluri Sitarama Raju district have withheld the necessary permissions, bringing the capture operation to a standstill. This lack of inter-district coordination has left local cultivators in continued distress.
From Farms to Hostels: A Dangerous Escalation
The simian threat has escalated beyond crop damage, turning into a direct danger for residents. In a disturbing incident on December 8, a troop of monkeys entered a social welfare hostel in Ravikamatam. The animals attacked two girl students while they were asleep. Pallika Sneha (12) and Seedari Manga (13) sustained bite injuries in the assault and had to be shifted to Narsipatnam hospital for treatment. This attack highlights the urgent and growing risk to public safety.
The problem is not new for some areas. Villages in Yalamanchili mandal have been grappling with this simian menace for six to seven years, with the issue now spreading to neighbouring mandals as well.
Government Response and a Personal Twist
At a recent collectors' meeting, Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan formally raised the issue, explicitly pointing out the lack of cooperation from the Alluri authorities. The situation features a curious personal dynamic: the Collector of Alluri Sitarama Raju district, Dinesh Kumar, is Krishnan's husband.
The plight of the farmers has reached the highest levels of the state government. Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan have both expressed serious concern over the losses suffered by cultivators. They have instructed forest officials to act immediately to address the problem. The leaders have assured the public that the government will take all urgent steps necessary to prevent further damage to crops and ensure citizen safety.
