VALPOI
A sharp decline in coconut production across Sattari in recent times has been attributed to the destruction caused by monkeys, prompting growing calls for monkeys to be included in the list of vermin.
“Monkeys have severely affected coconut production in Sattari taluka and it is estimated that total coconut production has decreased by about 30 per cent,” said Sattari Zonal Agricultural Officer (ZAO) Vishwanath Gawas, while confirming the decline in coconut production.
Cultivators in Sattari have welcomed the State government’s move to expedite the inclusion of wild boar as vermin, but have considered monkeys a greater menace and have blamed them for the declining coconut production in the State.
They have been demanding the inclusion of monkeys in the list of vermin.
Speaking to The Goan, a number of farmers and cultivators in Sattari had said monkeys have caused far greater damage to their crops and cultivations than wild boar
“The government has finally woken up to the plight of farmers and cultivators, who have been badly affected as their crops have been destroyed by wild animals,” said Ashok Joshi of Hedode-Sattari, who has been actively involved in the movement to declare some wild animals as vermin.
“But more than wild boar, the government must declare monkey as vermin. Coconut production has declined drastically in Sattari and this is mainly due to the monkey menace.”
Rama Sawant, a farmer from Koparde-Sattari, also blamed monkeys for the lower coconut production.
“The monkey population can only be controlled if they are declared vermin and if this happens, we will see better days ahead for coconut production in Sattari,” said Sawant.
Narayan Gaonkar, a coconut cultivator from Kumthol-Sattari, said the coconut prices have skyrocketed due to declining production in Sattari and said the declaration of monkeys along with wild boar as vermin is their only hope for better production.
Added Atmaram Gawas, another cultivator: “Monkeys are the most troublesome of wild animals and we have had to face huge losses because of them, given their ability to cause damage atop trees.”
