Shimla ward watch ward no1 Bharari: Twin trouble: It’s raining dogs & monkeys in this Shimla area

Navneet Rathore

Shimla, February 7

People and shopkeepers of Bharari ward under Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) are having a tough time grappling with the twin menace of monkeys and stray dogs.

Not a day is passed when monkeys do not attack, bite or steal items from shops and houses, claim those living here and running business in the ward.

The locals complain that monkeys and dogs have made their life miserable as they are not able to move around freely. Fear of sudden attack by monkeys and dogs lurks all the time.

This has created a constant fear of monkeys amongst the residents. Children also have tough time while going to schools or playing outside. People who run shops in Bharari market have claimed that group of monkeys sneaks into their shops and steal food items. Talking to The Tribune, the ward residents urged the Mayor and the state government to take effective steps to curb monkey menace.

Ajay Sood, owner of a general store in Bharari market, said monkeys have greatly affected their day-to-day business. He said that every day a bunch of monkeys gathers near the market and enters into their shop, scaring customers away.

“Monkeys steal food items and damage other products kept inside the shop. These monkeys even attack and bite our customers. I am suffering loss of Rs 500 to Rs 700 every day.” he added.

He said one shopkeeper who runs a shop in the market has even installed steel nets around the shop’s counter so that monkeys do not enter the shop. Vinod Sood, another shopkeeper at the market said, “We are having a tough time in running our day-to-day business due to monkey menace. We have to keep sticks to scare monkeys away, but they turn more aggressive. Despite cages being installed in the ward from time to time, rarely a monkey is trapped because they do not come near the cage.”

He claimed that even monkeys from other parts of the town are brought here and released into nearby jungles. These monkeys then make their way to the market and residential areas and create trouble for the residents.

Akash, a resident of Bharari, said monkey menace has become a big problem for them.

“Besides monkeys, the ward is also plagued by dog menace. There are many stray dogs in the ward which attacks and bites residents. We feel helpless as monkeys and dogs fear nothing and when someone tries to scare them away they turn aggressive,” he said.

Councillor Meena Chauhan said she has received many complaints regarding monkey menace from the people. Cages have been installed in the wards to catch monkeys, she said, while agreeing to people’s claim that monkeys do not go near the cage.