Monkeys rule the roads in Sundargarh, locals seek urgent forest dept action

The residents of Kureibaga village under the Badagaon Forest Range in Odisha’s Sundargarh district are reeling under an intensifying monkey menace.

As per reports, hundreds of monkeys from the nearby Mahavir Hill have been invading the village, damaging thatched and tiled houses, and destroying vegetable crops and other produce. The simian intrusion has made daily life difficult for villagers, who are even afraid to move around freely due to the large number of monkeys occupying the roads.

Locals said the problem has persisted for years despite repeated complaints to the Forest Department and district administration.

Also Read: 7 people injured as monkey goes rogue in Odisha’s Keonjhar

“Monkeys from Mahavir Hill enter our village and damage the tiled roofs of our houses, causing rainwater to leak inside. They are also destroying our vegetable crops and other produce. We have informed the Badagaon Forest Range and district authorities several times, but no action has been taken so far,” lamented a villager.

The Forest Department is yet to issue any official response on the matter.