With elections starting soon, a report in the Hindu News states that monkeys are now a major electoral issue in here in the state of Himachal Pradesh.
A variety of “solutions” to the monkey menace have been tried including sterialization and relocating them to Tajikistan. Yet they continue to destroy crops in rural areas, and increasingly aggressive behaviour in urban areas. Many farmers are pressing for a “scientific cull”, but politicians are wary of offending local sensitivities – after all Hanuman is revered and worshipped by many Hindus.
Indeed, Shimla, a hill station 246kms out of Dharamsala has been terrorized by monkeys for years. The Lonely Planet guide devotes a quarter page of text box to this menace. Certain thoroughfares require the pedestrian to carry a stick which can be bought or rented. Hotel windows should be closed at all times and don´t hang your laundry on balconies. It warns against smiling or making eye contact with these psycho-simians.
There are two direct buses to Shimla from Dharamsala, at 8.20am and 9.30pm costing Rp228. I took the night bus which arrived in at 5.50am.
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