Just days after the Karnataka government admitted that state capital Bangalore is facing an unprecedented water crisis, a new problem confronts residents on the city’s ever expanding outskirts. Just like humans, monkeys in these areas are struggling for water, too. With the summer heat intensifying, the animals have taken to raiding homes in residential buildings.
According to a report on the news18.com website, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, or Greater Bangalore Municipal Corporation, has been flooded with complaints from hapless residents about monkeys entering their homes in search of food and water, snatching meals from adults and children, and even attacking humans.
Ravindra Kumar N., deputy conservator of forests, Bangalore Urban district, said, “This is a classic man-animal conflict situation, akin to what we see with leopards and elephants. We have taken away the habitat of the monkeys to build apartments and expect them to go elsewhere. [But] they are accustomed to the trees, fruits, and vegetables available around and come to consume them.”
Ravindra Kumar said monkeys share a few personality traits with dogs, cats, and horses, the most important being loyalty. They remember which humans treated them with kindness and offered food or water and revisit places where they are certain they won’t be sent off starving or thirsty. “They scale heights like the 15th floor, akin to how they navigate trees,” he said.
The problem is not new, however. Just two years ago, the Karnataka High Court had directed the municipal authorities to find a solution to the issue. But now, with the water shortage, the situation has only become worse.
Not all is grim, however, in Bangalore’s animal kingdom. A report in The Hindu newspaper reveals that the city zoo is helping animals to survive and flourish in these trying times. The Bannerghatta Biological Park, home to 99 species and more than 2,300 animals, is trying not to let the water scarcity in the region affect them.
A.V. Surya Sen, deputy conservator of forests and executive director at the park, said, “Historically, in the summer months, there is a shortage of water in the Bannerghatta region. However, we have been tapping into our borewells and surface water bodies inside the park to address this issue.” The park has eight lakes. In summer, tankers are used to supply water from the lakes to various areas across the park.
“So far, we have not purchased water from outside,” Surya Sen said. “This year too, we will manage with whatever resources we have. I don’t foresee any challenge.”
