While Shri Dharma Sastha Temple at Sasthamcotta, known for its feast for monkeys, shelters a troop of monkeys as part of an age-old tradition, the residents of nearby areas are living a nightmare.
Hundreds of monkeys who have left the temple premises are wreaking havoc in the residential areas, and the panchayat has sought the help of Forest department to trap and translocate them.
“There has been an alarming rise in monkey population during the last few years. Since they feed on a wide range of food, farmers are the most affected. Agriculture has become non-existent in many part, as they eat fruits, leaves and even tubers. We are left with no other option but to leave our land barren,” says Kochaniyan, resident.
