TN Melur Town Residents Raise Alarm Over Escalating Monkey Intrusions

TN Melur town has been witnessing a steady rise in human–monkey conflict, with residents and farmers expressing growing frustration over repeated intrusions by monkey troops into homes and agricultural lands. Despite being located at a distance from core forest areas, the town and its surrounding villages are facing frequent disturbances that have affected daily life, safety, and livelihoods.

In recent days, residents have put up posters across prominent locations in Melur town, openly criticising the forest department for what they describe as inadequate and delayed action. According to locals, the issue has persisted for several years and has worsened recently, pushing people to take public steps to draw attention to their concerns.

Although Melur town is located around 2.5 kilometres away from the Arittapatti and Alagar Kovil hill ranges, large groups of monkeys are regularly seen entering residential streets. These animals often climb rooftops, damage property, and roam freely through neighbourhoods, creating fear among residents, especially elderly people and children.

TN Melur Town Residents Speak of Daily Disruptions

Residents say monkey intrusions have become a part of everyday life. Many houses in Melur still have tiled or thatched roofs, making them vulnerable to damage. Locals report that monkeys frequently dislodge roof tiles while searching for food, enter homes through open windows, and destroy household items.

Several residents have also raised safety concerns. Incidents of monkeys throwing stones, snatching food, and chasing people have been reported. In one recent case, an elderly woman sustained injuries after being struck by stones allegedly thrown by monkeys when she attempted to drive them away from her house.

People living in the area claim they have submitted multiple complaints to forest officials over the years. However, they say responses have been temporary and limited to short-term measures. With no visible long-term relief, residents decided to put up posters demanding immediate and effective intervention.

The posters reflect public anger and fear, calling for accountability and sustained action rather than occasional responses.

TN Melur Town Farmers Count Crop Losses

Farmers in and around Melur say the problem is not limited to residential areas. Agricultural lands near the Alagar Kovil hill range are also being repeatedly raided by monkey troops. According to farmers, monkeys enter fields in groups, causing extensive damage to crops overnight.

Fruit-bearing trees and vegetable crops are the worst affected. Farmers say that once monkeys target a field, the loss is often total, leaving them with no compensation or support. Many farmers fear that continued crop damage could threaten their already fragile incomes.

They have urged authorities to come up with a permanent solution instead of temporary relocations. Farmers argue that without addressing the root causes, monkey intrusions will continue to affect both agriculture and village life.

Forest department officials, however, maintain that steps are being taken. According to officials, whenever monkeys pose a serious threat to public safety or property, cages are installed to capture them. The animals are then relocated to forest areas.

Data shared by the department shows that over the past year, more than 100 cages were installed across the district, leading to the relocation of hundreds of monkeys. Officials also stated that awareness programmes are being conducted to discourage people from feeding monkeys, as this behaviour attracts animals into human settlements and alters their natural habits.

Additional measures include planting indigenous fruit-bearing trees such as tamarind, jamun, and banyan deeper inside forest zones to improve food availability for wildlife. Joint patrolling by field staff and the use of wildlife rescue equipment have also been cited as part of ongoing efforts. Also Read: Tribal Dept to Team Up With Global Chess Body to Reshape Learning in Schools in 2026

Animal welfare groups, meanwhile, have called for humane and long-term solutions. They stress that repeated capture and relocation alone will not resolve the issue. Activists have suggested the creation of designated feeding zones away from residential areas, along with habitat management, to reduce conflict and prevent injuries to both humans and animals.

Conclusion

The situation in TN Melur town highlights a growing challenge faced by semi-urban regions near forest landscapes. While short-term measures have provided limited relief, residents and farmers continue to demand a structured, long-term plan to ensure safety, protect livelihoods, and maintain ecological balance. Until then, the conflict remains unresolved, affecting daily life across the region.