A few of the simians have escaped to nearby habitations of Shogi, a suburban township on Shimla-Kalka National Highway, while others have shifted their base to adjacent fields of vegetables and other cash-crops.

This is a major setback to the idea of opening two primate protection parks in the state, of which the Taradevi park was opened by the state’s wildlife wing only a few days back.

The farmers allege that the monkeys released in the park have been pushed away by the native herds, who appear to have already settled down in the vicinity. Scientific feedback also suggests that monkeys live in troops and each troop has its own territorial boundaries. Intruders are not allowed to step in and those taking the risk are furiously pushed back.

This is what appears to have happened at Taradevi. The monkeys captured from other places of Shimla and released at Taradevi did not find a place in the park and eventually escaped to safer locations. The confrontation between the native monkeys and outsiders have even resulted in attack on humans, beside destruction of standing crops.

Admits a senior wildlife official, “It’s true that nearly 35 to 40 monkeys, which were released in the park a few days back, have escaped to nearby habitations and fields. Most of these have reached Shogi or have taken shelter in the neighbourhood.”

State’s Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Pankaj Khullar also confirmed complaints about monkeys destroying crops in Taradevi and Shogi areas. “I have discussed the issue with Chief Wildlife Warden Vinay Tandon, who has already deployed teams to address the problems of the farmers.”

To tackle the situation, the wildlife officials have been asked to burst crackers and use conventional means like beating of drums to scare away the monkeys from the fields.

But that may not be enough. Sources allege that the state government took the decision of setting up primate protection parks in haste. Officials did not even take the advice of the Wildlife Institute of India before clearing the proposals of the two primate protection parks. The parks are going to cost nearly Rs 2.75 crore.