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Nashik: monkeys to be caged in Trimbakeshwar ahead of president Droupadi Murmu’s visit

Nashik: monkeys to be caged in Trimbakeshwar ahead of president Droupadi Murmu’s visit

Monkeys and stray animals are being targeted in Trimbakeshwar, Nashik district, Maharashtra, ahead of a presidential visit. The Municipal Council and the Forest Department launched a joint operation following the visit of President Droupadi Murmu, according to the administration. Troops of monkeys entered the town from the Brahmagiri mountain range during the 2020 Covid lockdown, after which their population steadily increased, the administration stated. Monkeys frequently roam main streets, marketplaces, and residential areas, causing distress to residents and pilgrims by snatching ritual items and fruits, scattering offerings, overturning water vessels, and biting people, locals reported. The administration initiated a tender process to capture stray and unclaimed animals for relocation to a safe environment, while monkeys will be captured and temporarily confined in cages, the authorities said. A permanent shelter for monkeys and other animals has not yet been designated in Trimbakeshwar, as the identification of a suitable site is still pending, the administration noted. Residents are questioning whether these measures will continue after the visit and whether they will receive permanent relief.

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