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Monkeys starve in Madaripur as 'safety scheme' ends

Diseases feared, may spread to human also

A Correspondent, Madaripur
Around 2,500 monkeys in Madaripur arc facing acute food crisis as the "Programme for protection and development of endangered monkeys in Char Muguria area" ended on June 30.
Quite a few monkeys have already died due to food crisis while many mother monkeys, passing days starved or half-starved, are even unable to breast feed their babies, locals said.
Deprived of their favourite foods banana, peanut and fruits, the monkeys are going to the human habitations in search of food.
During a recent visit to the spot, this correspondent saw that the hungry monkeys were competing for the scanty foods like peanut or biscuit given by the visitors. They were also trying to eat whatever they got -- grass, garbage, polythene etc. Hungry and irritated, the monkeys have turned a nuisance to the local people although earlier they were compassionate to them.
Concerned over the pitiable life of the monkeys, locals and visitors have urged immediate arrangement of food for the monkeys and permanent forestation in the area.
Due to depletion of forest following spread of human habitation, the monkeys, are now seriously threatened.
Arrangement was made for monkeys' stay in the forest sanctuary under a nine-mile stretch of area including three famous river ports Kulpaddi, Madaripur Sadar and Char Muguriain 1857.
The monkeys feasted on the fruits available in the
jungles. Rich Marwari community living in the area revered the monkeys as gods and gave them different fruits including banana.
During the floods of 1988 and 1998, the monkeys in the area faced serious danger and many monkeys died for want of food.
Later with the initiative of several persons including the then local lawmaker Shahjahan Khan (at present shipping minister) three-year Charmuguria monkey protection and development programme was taken. Under the Tk 86 lakh programme, 50 kg ripe bananas, 10 kg peanuts and 30 kg green cucumber were supplied for the monkeys every day.
The programme ended on June 30 this year.
Starving and weak, the monkeys have become vulnerable to different diseases
that might spread among humans. District Livestock Officer Dr Subodh Chandra Saha said, adding that immediate food supply should be arranged to save the monkeys. the heritage of Madaripur.
Interestingly, the monkeys are divided into what locals call Awami League' and 'BNP' groups and animals belonging to one group do not enter the area inhabited by the other group.
Monkeys, mostly moving at Kalibari, Swarnakarpatti, JTC, Adamjee, rice godowns and intersection areas, spend nights at abandoned jute godowns.
Madaripur forest officer Muhammad Ali Jinnah said they have sought allocation for food for the monkeys but the higher authorities are yet to give any response in this regard.