Valparai: The conflict between man and animal is a common feature in areas near the forest. The story was no different in Valparai also till a few years ago. However, when a big troop of lion-tailed macaques was stranded in a coffee plantation, the finer aspects of human behaviour took over. Now, a group of people ensure a safe life for their brethren belonging to the animal kingdom.
Workers of the Nature Conservation Foundation, an NGO which has taken up the initiative along with the Anamalai Tiger Reserve Foundation, keep a watch when the macaques cross the road in groups. Whenever a vehicle passes that way, the workers hold up sign boards which read ‘Go Slow’ having images of macaques. When the vehicles slow down, the volunteers guide the animals, which often would be savouring ripe jackfruits, to the safety of the roadside.
The noble initiative was launched several years ago. The lion-tailed macaques are known to prefer tall trees to spend their time. However, widespread deforestation took place in Valparai to set up coffee plantations and several tall trees gave way to short coffee shrubs. A troop of around 150 macaques was stranded in a small forested area near the Puthuthottam coffee estate.
When the coffee plantations came up, the continuity of this small forest with the Anamalai tiger reserve was lost. The macaques had no way to reach the big forest and settled down in the area. They also began to cause trouble to the local people. Damage to property was reported frequently. With the animals venturing on to the road, many were run over by vehicles.
It was in such a situation that Nature Conservation Foundation took up the matter. The Foundation has appointed four people to care for the macaques. The macaques spend the entire day in the coffee plantations and start returning to the small forest in the afternoon. However, they have to cross the Valparai-Pollachi road for the purpose. It is here that the employees of the NGO hold the board and help the macaques to reach the other side of the road safely. The employees also ensure that the animals do not damage the property of the local people.
At present, there are around 350 lion-tailed macaques in the area. They live in five troops and efforts are being made to plant tall trees all the way from this small forest to the Anamalai tiger reserve to create a green path for the animals.
