Monkeys monkeys everywhere... Shimla and monkeys have become synonomous. There is one monkey to every fifteen adults or less. They are everywhere. On the road, terrace, roofs, balconies, garden and sometimes even inside the house. Going out to shop, you need to be full alert as one might pounce on you from anywhere. They have a very advanced sense of smell and fear. If you are scared they'll smell it from yards away. Women and children are easy targets. But, we're to blame for a large extent, for present the days condition.
When i was younger, we only saw them few months of the year. Elders told us that they cant take the heat, so in the summers are mostly inhabiting the Jakhoo area and surrounding. Their main source of food was vegetation from the forest and what the religious amongst us, chose to feed them.
But, now they don't need vegetation or to look for food anymore. Humans have made food easily available to them by throwing garbage everywhere. Monkeys are very intelligent animals, they feed at a spot once, they'll come there daily to check and eat again. We have put grills and covered our balconies and open areas with mesh. Ironically, the monkey is caging us in and forcefully confining us to our habitat.
I dislike the fact that one cannot even go for a walk in peace, without worrying about them. They eat my plants and destroy my garden, mercilessly. And even if they don't eat a plant they will still uproot it, just for the sake of it. I rarely get to see flowers in plants, as they have to spot a bud to eat it.
Old parents are terrified and feel helpless, and reluctant to go alone on roads, which are frequented by them. The Kalka - Shimla highway is dotted with them, all throughout. We regularly read newspaper reports of how they are destroying fields and damaging crops.The government needs to take some concrete steps soon.
I dont hate them, but i wish they would go elsewhere and be happy. And, let us live in peace.
When i was younger, we only saw them few months of the year. Elders told us that they cant take the heat, so in the summers are mostly inhabiting the Jakhoo area and surrounding. Their main source of food was vegetation from the forest and what the religious amongst us, chose to feed them.
But, now they don't need vegetation or to look for food anymore. Humans have made food easily available to them by throwing garbage everywhere. Monkeys are very intelligent animals, they feed at a spot once, they'll come there daily to check and eat again. We have put grills and covered our balconies and open areas with mesh. Ironically, the monkey is caging us in and forcefully confining us to our habitat.
I dislike the fact that one cannot even go for a walk in peace, without worrying about them. They eat my plants and destroy my garden, mercilessly. And even if they don't eat a plant they will still uproot it, just for the sake of it. I rarely get to see flowers in plants, as they have to spot a bud to eat it.
Old parents are terrified and feel helpless, and reluctant to go alone on roads, which are frequented by them. The Kalka - Shimla highway is dotted with them, all throughout. We regularly read newspaper reports of how they are destroying fields and damaging crops.The government needs to take some concrete steps soon.
I dont hate them, but i wish they would go elsewhere and be happy. And, let us live in peace.
