The angry farmers of Rasuwa and Nuwakot districts are getting ready to drive away their sworn enemies, the monkeys, to the Raniban forest at the northern end of Kathmandu Valley.

The farmers are suffering huge losses due to the ravaging monkeys which destroy crops and damage harvests. The "Chase the Monkeys" campaign to be coordinated by the Bhadaure Social Reform Committee and assistance is being sought from Bidur Municipality, village development committees and social organisations.

Hordes of monkeys living in the Bhorle village neighbourhood and the adjoining villages will be driven off their habitat in mid-November this year. They will be directed towards Tupche village and then to Bidur municipality from where the local residents would also help drive the monkeys further south to Kakani, Okharpauwa and finally to the Raniban forest in Nagarjun hill.

Although villagers hate the monkeys, the Reform Committee has decided not to harm them but to chase them to a better environment where they can live without fear.

The Committee has also issued a press release asking for any form of assistance from those interested.