A number of hanuman monkeys (Semnopithecus entellus), locally known as hanumans, have been moving in locality in search of foods in several areas of Jhenaidah.
Locals said these wild animals, believed to be a God of the Hindu people, usually live in jungles where they can find adequate foods including fruits and green leafs.
However, they are now started roaming here and there in the locality as the jungles are decaying faster due to increasing demand of wood as timber and fuel. Meanwhile, some locals chase them when they appear before them or on their rooftops.
Manindra Nath Biswas, a resident of Shailkupa upazila and Mahbub Alam of Khalishpur in Moheshpur Upazila said the Hanumans are appearing in public places after facing food crisis in the jungles.
“The new orchards usually do not contain fruit bearing plants that could meet the food demand of the Hanumans. Finding no other alternative, they have been appearing in public places and being attacked by people”, they added.
Manindra Nath Biswas said that a group of inhuman people also encourage the dogs to hunt these wild animals ignoring the rules and regulations of natural wild animal protection acts. Assistant Conservator of Forest (ACF) of the Department of Forestry in Jhenaidah Khondakar Mohammad Gias Uddin when contacted said, “Some of the hanumans move to the community area for food or shelter. Due to the rising scarcity of food, this number is increasing day by day.”
“These animals feel insecure when people throw stones, brick and other objects towards them to tease them,” he added.
Each and every one should extend their hands towards these helpless animals to provide food if possible and not disturb them in any way. Any torture and abuse of the wild animals is a crime as per the rules and regulations of the natural and wild animals’ conservative act, the ACF said.