Crop damage by monkeys forcing villages to stop farming: CM Sarma

Guwahati, Feb 13: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Thursday raised concern over the escalating monkey menace across the state, stating that widespread crop destruction has pushed several farmers to the brink, with some villages reportedly abandoning cultivation altogether.

“Monkey menace is a serious issue across Assam. Many crops are being destroyed. In some villages, people have even stopped farming because of repeated losses,” he said.

The Chief Minister acknowledged the complexity of the issue, admitting that the government is yet to find a sustainable solution.

“We are also clueless as to what permanent solution can be adopted. Since childhood, we have been taught that monkeys should not be harmed. We cannot encourage killing them. But at the same time, farmers are suffering,” he said.

The growing human-wildlife conflict has emerged as a pressing concern in several rural pockets, where farmers report repeated destruction of paddy, vegetables and fruit crops. 

The Chief Minister suggested that the issue requires careful consideration

“It is not just an agricultural problem but also a social and environmental issue. We need a solution that protects farmers without disturbing ecological balance,” he noted.