Government intends to plant 20 forest fruit species

The state government’s forest department has found an alternative way to keep monkeys away from urban residential spaces.

Following several complaints by citizens that monkeys are entering urban habitats in search of food, the state government has decided to plant fruit bearing trees in large numbers all along the highways and in forest lines that fall on the fringes of urban pockets.

The government intends to plant 20 forest fruit species such as neredu (java plum), seetha-phal (custard apple), ippa (mahua), usiri (amala), medi (cluster fig) maredu (Indian Bael) chinta (tamarind) and velaga (wood apple).Ms Priyanka Varghese, officer on special duty at the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) office and incharge of Haritha Haram, told this newspaper that Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao wanted 50 per cent of all saplings planted during Haritha Haram this year to be fruit-bearing trees.

The fourth spell of Haritha Haram likely to start from the second week of July is focused on preventing monkey menace. It has been observed that monkeys enter urban areas because of habitat loss, and attack people in search of food. Besides, farmers face crop loss due to monkeys.“We are now focusing on fruit-bearing plants. Fruit-bearing trees were planted during 2017-18 but the number would be high this year,” Ms Varghese said.The government has  instructed  nurseries to grow saplings of fruit-bearing plants or procure them from other states and horticulture hubs.The move to plant fruit trees may not provide immediate relief as it takes two to three years for them to bear fruits.