Farmer leaders urge for quick resolution to rising monkey menace

Hyderabad: Environmentalists and farmer leaders have voiced concerns over the rising monkey menace in Telangana and called for a scientific approach to solve the problem. They said the issue has evolved from a minor nuisance to a substantial threat to agricultural produce.These concerns were highlighted during a round-table conference themed 'Check the Monkey Menace - Save the Farming Community’, held on Tuesday in Hyderabad.Kodanda Reddy, chairman of the Rythu Commission, said the increasing frequency of attacks is posing a challenge for farmers, who are incurring heavy losses as monkeys continue to damage fruit orchards, vegetable crops, and food grains.M Padamanabha Reddy, president of Forum for Good Governance, said the issue has worsened over the years due to ecological imbalances, diminishing forest cover, and wildlife management policies. He urged the government to develop a scientific and humane approach to solve the problem.Farmer rights activist Kanneganti Ravi called for compensation to affected farmers and long-term preventive measures.Participants at the meeting called for a comprehensive policy that includes collaboration between the forest and agriculture department, and local authorities to effectively tackle the problem.