ISLAMABAD; Residents of the federal capital’s most expensive residential sector, E-7, are increasingly alarmed by what they describe as a growing “monkey menace” that has made daily life unsafe and uncomfortable.
Nestled at the foothills of the Margalla Mountains, the posh locality has recently witnessed a surge in aggressive monkey behavior, with multiple incidents of attacks on walkers, women, and children reported.
According to residents, the problem has escalated in recent weeks. “Monkeys have become more dangerous. They attack people without fear, especially when individuals go for walks,” one resident lamented, adding that many women have had to change their walking routes due to repeated attacks.
Community members blame several factors for the situation. Feeding monkeys by visitors, gatekeepers, and domestic staff has disrupted their natural habits, while garbage thrown in open dumpsters provides easy food.
The unchecked growth in their population has also created food scarcity, contributing to their aggression. “We never get fruit from our backyard trees because the monkeys devour them. When they jump on our rooftops, it feels like an explosion,” another resident complained.
Residents also point to poor municipal services, including non-functional streetlights, overgrown wild grass, and lack of footpaths, which worsen the threat. While some individuals have experimented with sound devices that repel monkeys, others stress the need for permanent solutions.
Suggestions range from “no feeding” warning signs to planting fruit trees in the surrounding hills to divert the monkeys’ attention. Some even advocate a culling program if the situation remains unchecked.
The residents now plan to form a committee to approach the Capital Development Authority (CDA) and other officials with a formal complaint. “If the administration fails to act, people may be forced to take defensive measures, including firearms,” one resident warned.
For now, the monkey problem in E-7 remains unresolved, leaving residents fearful in their own neighborhood.
