Forest dept intensifies measures to curb human-monkey conflict

Madurai: Forest department has intensified efforts to address human-monkey conflict in Madurai division, following increasing instances of damage to public life and property caused by monkeys. Last year, the department captured 240 monkeys and relocated them.Officials said that whenever monkeys create disturbances or pose a threat to people and property, the department installs cages to safely capture them. The captured monkeys are then relocated to their natural forest habitats. Over the past one year, a total of 110 cages were installed at various locations across Madurai district, leading to the safe capture and relocation of 240 monkeys to forest areas, they said.As part of preventive measures, the department launched public awareness campaigns urging people not to feed monkeys. Officials warned that feeding attracts more monkeys into human habitations and alters their natural feeding patterns, increasing the likelihood of conflict.To ensure relocated monkeys remain within forest boundaries, the department also took up buffer zone enrichment. This includes planting fruit-bearing indigenous trees such as tamarind, jamun and banyan deep inside reserve forest areas, encouraging monkeys to stay within their natural habitat instead of returning to fringe villages and towns.An official said that frequent joint patrolling is carried out in sensitive and conflict-prone areas by forest department field staff. "The department also equipped its teams with modern wildlife rescue equipment to handle human-animal conflict situations more effectively and safely," they added. The department's aim is to reduce negative interactions between humans and animals, and to ensure the safety of both, they said.