Village in Chhattisgarh hires 'hunter' to kill langurs, sparking Forest Department inquiry

Bhagwat Prasad Jaiswal's gaze is perpetually drawn to the makeshift barrier constructed from thorny branches and twigs. A haphazard attempt to deter the marauding langurs that have plagued the village for over a decade.

As the rain pounds against the roof, the only sound is the lowing of the cows in the nearby cowshed, a stark contrast to the cacophony that usually accompanies the langurs' daily invasion. The village has been grappling with this issue since 2013.

At that time, the problem first escalated, with hundreds of langurs descending daily, causing significant disruptions and property damage.

Recently, a viral video showing two dead langurs led to allegations that 22 had been shot dead. to deal with the langur problem. The village resident claims that the man was paid 2 kg of rice per month from every household.

This sparks concerns about the legality of the arrangement.

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Grey langurs are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and harming them is strictly prohibited. However, the village claims that the langurs represent a significant cultural and religious symbol, and that harming them would be unacceptable.

The village resident, Santosh Sinha, stated that the guard was instructed not to use a gun, and that any harm caused to the monkeys would result in the termination of the services.

The langur problem has worsened in recent years, with residents reporting frequent attacks on their kitchens and fields. The monkeys seem to know when to strike, often targeting the kitchen after the men have left for work. The villagers are at their wit's end.

With many reporting frantic calls from their wives, who are often left to deal with the monkeys on their own.

Forest officials acknowledged receiving frequent complaints from villagers about langurs and acknowledged that the village had hired a guard to deal with the problem. However, they also stated that the collector's permission was required to hire a guard, which had not been obtained.

The village is once again facing the same problems it has been dealing with for over a decade. With no clear solution in sight, the villagers are left to wonder who they can turn to for help. The langur problem has become a major concern for the residents of Devgaon.

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And it remains to be seen how the Forest Department will handle the situation.

The langur problem is not unique to Devgaon, with 50 villages in the Bemetara-Nawagarh block also reporting similar issues. The problem has been exacerbated by the recent viral video, which has sparked widespread concern and outrage.

The Forest Department has acknowledged receiving complaints from villagers about langurs and has launched an investigation into the allegations. and will be taking action to address the langur problem.

The residents of Devgaon are calling for a solution to the langur problem, which has been ongoing for over a decade.