DERGAON, July 29 - Following largescale destruction of forest cover and increase in simian population in recent times, the monkeys have turned into a public menace in Golaghat and Dergaon areas.
Even on a rough estimate, more than 3,000 monkeys are seen foraging for food in and around greater Missamara area and Dergaon town. The monkeys often damage agricultural crops, besides raiding residential areas.
The simian-affected people have obviously demanded compensation from the Government. At present, the monkey menace has taken a serious turn. Hence, in order to find some scientific remedies to ameliorate the collective plight of the aggrieved people, leading nature organisation Aashray is organising a State-level convention on the prevailing monkey menace with several experts from various fields at Dergaon Girls� HS School on July 31 next.
The convention, to be held with the president of Aashray Biren Chandra Saikia in the chair, will be inaugurated by the Golaghat Deputy Commissioner Bornali Deka. In the inaugural session, Dergaon Circle Officer Lakhimi Dutta, Conservator of Forest, Jorhat, Muanthang Tungnung, Inspectress of Schools of Golaghat, Subhalakshmi Rajkumari, Dergaon Municipal Board Chairman Arunav Kalita, Dergaon OC Rupjyoti Dutta and the president of Dergaon Chambers of Commerce Pradip Khadaria will take part as distinguished guests.
The secretary of Aashray Sanjoy Kumar Hazarika will present an approach paper on the monkey menace and highlight five key points, namely Formation of habitat for the monkeys, Sterilisation of monkeys, Translocation of monkeys, Integrated crop management and Mass awareness on environment.
These points will be further discussed by the subject experts and final resolutions adopted will be forwarded to the State and Central governments for implementation. The subject experts from different fields who will take part in the convention are Botanist Dr Padmeswar Gogoi (Golaghat), Zoologist Dr Amarendra Nath Dutta (Golaghat), Agriculture scientist Dr Bipin Khangia (AAU, Jorhat), DFO Rajib Kumar Das (Golaghat), Veterinarian Dr Prabin Kumar Neog (Jorhat), Nature activist Dilip Chetry (Aaranyak, Guwahati), Associate Professor of Zoology Jugal Nath (DKD College, Dergaon), Environmental journalist Mubina Akhtar (Guwahati), Research Officer Rabindra Sarmah (KNP, Bokakhat) and Associate Professor of Botany Dr Jogesh Bora (DKD College).
The secretary of Aashray has urged all concerned to attend the convention in the greater public interest.
