HP govt seeks Centre's help to resolve monkey menace

Raising concerns over the growing monkey menace which was affecting farmers in the state, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the government was pursuing the matter regarding lifting ban on export of simians with the Centre.
Presiding over the meeting of state level grievances committee, Singh said that the problem of stray cattles and simians was alarming and "if the Union government agrees, we have no problem exporting them".
Singh said that a detailed note has been sent to the High Court regarding the economic loss suffered by farmers and the identified places where the simians were causing heavy loss to crops and danger to human lives and the forest department was also considering purchasing 'mobile sterilization vans' to immunize the monkeys on the spot.

"It is most nerve-racking problem being faced by the people and the government is taking effective steps to check the problem and find a durable solution," Chief Minister said.
Referring to the cases pertaining to one time settlement or regularization of 'pattas' (land documents) in some parts of the state, Singh directed that these cases be scrutinised on the basis of merit and said Deputy Commissioners of concerned districts would study the individual cases in consultation with the forest department.
He directed the Public Works Department to pursue the matters of forest clearance so that the roads could be made through without delay.

He said that the survey of the tunnel beneath Jalori Pass was being done and directed to complete the road from Jibhi to Garagusaini in district Kullu.
He also asked officials to ensure completion of the construction of mini Secretariat at Banjar by March 2015.