Langur cutouts to keep monkeys at bay ahead of President's Vrindavan visit
India Today
Ahead of President Droupadi Murmu's visit to Mathura on March 19, authorities are deploying forest teams and langur statues to prevent mischievous Vrindavan monkeys from snatching her spectacles during temple tours and the Govardhan parikrama.
Authorities in Uttar Pradesh are racing to outsmart Vrindavan’s notorious monkeys ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit, with officials planning to install langur cutouts and deploy forest teams to prevent the animals from snatching her spectacles.
The unusual preparations come as Murmu is set to arrive in the state on March 19 for a three-day visit to Mathura, including Vrindavan and Govardhan, where monkeys are known for snatching glasses and returning them only in exchange for food.
Officials said teams of forest department personnel armed with slingshots and sticks will be stationed across monkey-prone areas in Vrindavan and Govardhan.
Around 30 personnel will be deployed, with up to eight staff assigned to areas with heavy monkey presence and three in relatively less affected zones.
The teams will also carry red and green laser lights to scare away monkeys if needed.
In a novel step, authorities will install langur statues at key locations. The move is aimed at deterring monkeys, which typically avoid langurs.
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