Odisha Forms Squads to Address Monkey Menace, Enhances Elephant Damage Mitigation

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has intensified efforts to tackle the growing monkey menace by forming specialised squads across the state, Odisha Forest Minister Ganesh Ram Singh Khuntia informed the Assembly today. Responding to a query by MLA Ganeswar Behera, the minister highlighted the various strategies being implemented.

Anti-depredation teams have been deployed in each forest division to curb monkey-related disturbances and drive monkeys away. The use of ultrasonic monkey repellers has also proven effective in deterring the animals, Khuntia stated.

In sensitive areas, ‘monkey squads’ have been established, and where necessary, experienced ‘Mankedia’ communities are involved in capturing the monkeys. Problematic monkeys are tranquillized and relocated to remote forest areas. Public awareness campaigns are also underway to discourage feeding the animals, the minister added.

Addressing the issue of elephant-related damages, Khuntia noted that special teams are actively working in various regions to push the elephants back into the forests. As part of the ‘Jan Suraksha Gaj Raksha’ scheme, the government, in collaboration with local communities, is installing solar fencing in villages vulnerable to elephant attacks to protect crops. The scheme offers a 50% subsidy for individual beneficiaries and a 10% subsidy for group beneficiaries.

The state has also allocated Rs 6 lakh as compensation for human casualties caused by elephants. For crop damages, compensation is set at Rs 20,000 per acre for paddy and other crops and Rs 25,000 per acre for cash crops. To expedite compensation disbursements, the ‘Anukampa App’ has been launched, Khuntia concluded.