Monkeys attack French tourists at Taj Mahal

Two French tourists were attacked by a pack of monkeys at Taj Mahal, the 17th century monument of love, in Agra district this morning, officials said.

CISF personnel rescued the tourists, who sustained minor bruises, and administered first aid to them, they said.

"In the recent months, monkeys and dogs have been entering Taj Mahal and scaring away the tourists. Hordes of monkeys enter Taj Mahal from the riverside. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) should ensure the visitors' safety," a tourist guide, Ved Gautam said.

"We have been repeatedly writing to the Agra Municipal Corporation to take appropriate steps to manage the simian nuisance, but there has been no response," Superintending Archaeologist of ASI, Agra, Bhuvan Vikram told PTI.

The Agra Municipal Corporation had some time ago planned to relocate monkeys from the city, but a lack of resources prevented the implementation of the exercise.

A local NGO suggested mass sterilisation of the primates as a solution, but a lack of funds prevented the municipal authorities from implementing this idea too.

Local residents are also facing problems due to the growing number of monkeys.

"They destroy all plants. We have had to get iron grills installed to protect our small garden," said a local resident Himani Dixit, who is passionate about gardening.