Maloor (Kannur): Many people residing in Koovakkara and Chithravattam regions in Puralimala valley evacuated their houses due to frequent wild animal attacks. Migrants from other districts were mainly inhabiting the area and most of them were farmers. When the monkeys and wild animals started destroying their crops, it caused them huge loss. Many families returned to their native places in Idukki and Kottayam following this.

Tuber crops, coconut, arecanut and any crop is not left untouched by the monkeys. The householders do not get a single coconut even for their use. The bark of rubber trees also is not spared by the animals. In addition to the monkey menace, wild boars come at night and destroy tuber crops and plantains adding to the loss.

A lot of people gave up farming after frequent attack from wild animals. It is assessed that over 100 hecatres of farm lands in Tholambra, Thrikkadarippoyil, Palottuvayal, Palachippara, Sivapuram, Padupara, Alachi, Thillankeri and Mudakkozhi areas in Puralimala valley are under threat of monkeys and wild boars.

The monkeys are not ready to leave even the clothes spread on clothesline outside houses. They feast on bananas in the farms while the farmers remain helpless. Those who started cultivation taking bank loans are now unable to pay the instalments. They also complained that no compensation is provided for crop loss.