Forest Dept denies reports of monkey bites around Bhatti Mines

New Delhi, Apr 3 (UNI) The city's Forest Department has denied reports that at least 20 people have been bitten by monkeys released in Asola Wild Life Sanctuary in South Delhi's Bhatti Mines area over the last month.

Department officials inspected the area to verify the reports and found that they ''grossly exaggerated'' the extent of the problem and issues involved, Deputy Conservator of Forest and Wildlife Prabhat Tyagi said in a statement yesterday.

The department stated that two incidents were found true -- one was reported from Sanjay Nagar, an unauthorised settlement in the sanctuary that was in process of being shifted out. And the other, a woman was bitten when she hurled a stone at a monkey.

It clarifed that monkeys were being released in the Asola-Bhatti Wild Life Sanctuary, spread over 6,800 acres, in compliance with Delhi High Court orders to resolve the problem of monkey menace in the city.

The animals were being released in the heart of the forest which had abundant water and tree cover, and no human habitation within two kilometres.

Forest officials were also providing sufficient 'additional' feed twice a day and also undertaking a drive to plant 15,000 fruit trees in the sanctuary.

The department was also erecting a 15 feet-high boundary fence to keep the monkeys in and priority was being given to install it near schools and human habitations.

The statement also urged local residents not to feed or tease monkeys or pay attention to rumours.

UNI