Thirthahalli MLA Araga Jnanendra claimed that about ₹2,000 crore is the estimated crop loss due to monkey raids on areca, paddy and coconut plantations in Shivamogga alone every year.
Mr. Jnanendra, who had led a delegation of MLAs from Shivamogga district to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to convince him about the need to set up a monkey park, said the government’s positive response to their demand had given hope to farmers of the district.
“Monkey raids have become a nightmare for farmers of Malnad districts. They eat away tender arecanuts, paddy, and drink tender coconut. The losses from these three crops alone from Shivamogga district is estimated to be about ₹2,000 crore a year,” he told mediapersons here.
“Earlier, farmers of our district used to grow their own vegetables. Now, they have almost abandoned this practice due to the monkey issue,” he said. “Monkeys, which come in big groups, also raid houses by removing the roof tiles in rural areas,” he said. He said that setting up a monkey park would provide a relief to farmers.
