Kambalakkad: The Life of residents in Madakkimala has turned into daily chaos as troops of macaques wreak havoc on homes and farms, leaving behind a trail of destruction.

Even though there are no forest regions nearby, people here are unable to keep their doors open or cultivate crops due to the frequent intrusion of macaques. If the doors are left open, the animals barge into homes, ransack interiors, and even snatch clothes hanging outside to dry in the sun.

The biggest concern, however, is the damage caused to crops. Moving in groups, the macaques destroy entire fields, especially targeting plantain trees. Farmers say the monkeys eat all the fruits, leaving behind only the bare central stalk of the banana bunches.

Attempts to protect the crops by covering the bunches with plastic sacks have also failed, as the macaques tear through the coverings and continue to feast on the remaining fruits. The situation has worsened to such an extent that crops seen standing one day are found completely gone the next.

Besides bananas, the animals have also started targeting coconut trees by plucking both mature and tender coconuts and raiding tapioca and other tuber crops. Residents allege that the macaques even enter poultry sheds in the backyards to steal eggs.

Farmers are hesitant to take strong action, fearing legal consequences, as killing macaques is a punishable offence under the Wildlife Protection Act. They are now urging authorities to step in and capture the monkeys using cage traps to protect crops and property from further destruction.