Nizamabad: Monkey tax to control simians

NIZAMABAD: People are ready to pay a “monkey tax” to tackle the simian menace in Nizamabad district.

 

The Bhiknoor gram panchayat is collecting Rs 100 as monkey tax from November and neighbouring Rameshwarpally too has passed a resolution in this regard and has started collection of the tax.

 

Stray monkeys entering villages for food and water has become a huge problem. Villagers are panicking due to attacks by monkeys and are being forced to remain indoors.

 

Bhiknoor sarpanch Narasimha Reddy said their panchayat had decided to engage experts to catch the monkeys and release them in the forest. For this purpose, the gram panchayat had unanimously passed a resolution to collect Rs 100 as tax from each household every month, he added.

 

For this purpose, the Bhiknoor gram panchayat has entered into an agreement with monkey catchers from Domakonda mandal. As per the agreement, they will catch monkeys for a year. The catchers are using cages and anesthesia to catch the monkeys. Other panchayats in the district too have decided to follow suit. The forest department is unable to control the monkeys. Additional principal chief conservator Manoranjan said the forest department would also sanction funds to catch monkeys.