Pankaj Oudhia

More discussion on human-monkey conflict in village Khudmudi

“You must buy this gun worth 1800 Rs.. It makes sharp sound and releases cork like bullet. You have to aim at monkey and shoot on head. It is not fatal. In few days you can get rid from monkey nuisance.” Local gun shop owner was trying to convince the farmers of Durg region. “There is no need of license for it. If you have more money, I can show you imported gun which is advanced version of this gun. It will work in case of wild boar also.” He further tried to convince.

“Monkeys (Hanuman langur) are very smart animal. When we use air gun they simply change the direction of head and our bullet misses. We use firecrackers but they show no response. Give this gun free to us. We will try it in practical situation. If it is successful then we guarantee you that every villager will purchase it.” The villagers proposed. But gun shop owner was not interested in field demonstration.

Yesterday I was in my village. Monkeys were raiding the village. They were in search of vegetables as well as fruits growing in homestead garden. Villagers were keeping eye on them but village was relatively silent. Surprisingly street dogs were ignoring the presence of monkeys. There is fierce competition among dogs and monkeys for limited waste food. There is competition for love also. Dogs are living with human beings since time immemorial. It seems that monkeys also want to get same status in terms of love. Dogs have surrendered in front of monkeys, at least in my village.

“A farm owner migrated from Haryana was taking help of Doberman dogs to keep monkeys at bay. But last week these dogs injured villager’s cattle. Village panchayat fined the farm owner without any delay. Now he has shifted the dogs to another farm. It is not less than big victory for monkeys. Yesterday they raided the farm.” A senior native informed. 

From village orchard I collected Guava and Seetaphal (Annona squamosa) fruits. “If there are eight to ten large groups of monkeys in this village and surroundings then how these fruits are safe?” I questioned. “At present different types of crops and wild flora are present. Hence, monkeys are raiding village less frequently. The main problem starts in summer when greenery limits to village only. At that time from monkeys, wild boar to leopard and hyena reached to village in search of water as well as food.” Senior natives informed.

In general in Indian villages you will find roof prepared from country tiles locally known as Khaprail. These tiles are very delicate. It keeps houses cool during hot summer. When monkeys raid village they travel from one roof to another. This movement breaks these tiles. By seeing the roof of any village while passing through, you can get information whether monkeys are creating problem here or not? As other affected villages, the villagers of Khudmudi are planning to use tin roof. This change will protect them from economical losses but under this roof it is very difficult to pass hot summer days. In rainy season continuous sound of rain drops on tin roof will create problem in sound sleep. It is not a good solution of this problem.

“Monkeys have no other place to live. Wait for few years. Let them understand to live with human beings. They will become more faithful friend than dogs in coming years. I am confident.” A senior native said. But unfortunately it is not true. I have visited to areas where monkeys are living from decades. They have yet not got the status like dogs in human society. They cannot move freely as dogs in villages. Monkeys are worshipped but not welcomed in village.

I am observing it from long time that monkeys are not consuming Seetaphal fruits. Villagers are happy that at least one species is free from monkeys. Yesterday I collected much Seetaphal and enjoyed with family. Seetaphal is well known fruit around the world and much liked by every one but the Traditional Healers always suggest its judicious use. “Monkeys are more aware than us regarding medicinal properties of fruits like Seetaphal. If they are not consuming it then it is a sign of warning.” The Healers say these words quite commonly.

“It is a matter of time. Earlier we were growing Alsi (Linseed) crop without fence as cattle were not grazing it. But now village cows have started consuming it. Similarly it coming days monkeys will start consuming Seetaphal. That is why I say that it is just a matter of time.” My Agua i.e. farm manager said.

While taking pictures of village and surroundings I observed many new weed species in crop fields. “We believe that monkeys are spreading these weeds in crop fields. This is first year we are seeing new weed species.” The villagers informed. If it is true then it is serious situation. “These monkeys travel long distance. And try all types of plants.” They further informed.

I have instructed my field workers to keep close eye on movements of monkeys and try to understand its role in weed dispersion.  

Simple but effective health tips by Traditional Healer to patient in his forties

‘At least three days in a week wash you hair with black soil. You can use Reetha plus Aonla combination once in a week and Nimbu juice on other days. Nimbu juice will help you to get rid from Dandruff problem. Visit to nearby village and collect black soil from Bharri land in bulk. Be sure that such land was never used for chemical farming. Avoid using modern shampoos. Instead of mere washing hair by black soil, try to put thick paste on head till drying. It will keep your head cool. You have problem of boils in head specially in back of head. The application of Black soil in this way will not only cure these boils but also stop its recurrence. If use of Black soil will result in cold and cough then reduce the time. Adopt it during day time. This application will help you in many ways. It will cure your old problem of Insomnia.” A Traditional Healer of Rajim region was suggesting health schedule to patient living in urban area.

The patient was in his forties. Overweight, fond of spicy food, do much mental work than physical work, sincere bachelor, damaged teeth and never cared for skin troubles. Luckily free from major diseases like Diabetes and heart troubles. But now wants to do something for health. He approached me and we reached Rajim region to meet Traditional Healer.

“Daily give at least two hours for physical activity.” The Healer suggested. “I play games in health club daily” Patient replied. “Good. Continue it and if possible take long walk.” The Healer further suggested.

“As winter is coming never miss to add one Aonla fruit in your daily schedule. Take it with salt during or after meals. Take mature Aonla and if possible prefer wild Aonla rich in fiber and medicinal properties. You can take Aonla in form of chutney and pickles but prefer taking fresh fruit as such. Fresh Aonla will solve your problem of constipation. It will help in treatment of your skin trouble with many other benefits.

As you say that your sexual activity is nearly zero and you are sincere bachelor, I suggest you to engage in such activity to some extent. If you feel weakness, then during winter you can take Asgandh based formulation. But please be sure that it suits to you. In many cases Asgandh aggravates many types of skin problems. For this start its use from small doses and then increase it gradually.” The Healer continued.

“Weakness is a problem but after every sexual activity I feel severe shivering. Due to this fear I hesitate to engage in it again. Due to no sexual activity up to long time I feel heat inside my body. Am I suffering from any serious trouble?” Patient asked with hesitation.

“Go to nearby village and collect wild Kevatch pods having white seeds. Cook the pods as vegetable. Consume it daily during meals. This will cure the problem of shivering just after ejaculation, in few days. If Kevatch pods are not available you can use Kevatch based herbal formulation available in market. If you wish, I can prepare it from Kevatch growing in nearby hill. Whenever you feel that problem is solved, stop using it. Don’t continue its use as tonic. Your problem is common and there is no need for worry.” The Healer assured.

“For your hair use Til oil during summer and Sarson oil during winter. Combination of Besan and Haldi is best face wash. It is in use since time immemorial. Once in a week use soil to clean your face. You can use Dhikuar (Aloe) juice externally also once in a week.

You have complained about the problem of bleeding Piles. Please include Jimikand as vegetable in your meals. Application of Sarson oil inside anus is also useful. Please apply this oil continuously up to many months. Use index finger for this purpose.

For dental carries I am giving combination of various salts mixed with Sarson oil. Apply it on decaying teeth as well as on gums for some time and then wash. You can do it during any part of day. This simple treatment gives new strength to gum and it is traditional home remedy for pyorrhea. If your teeth can tolerate, use peels of Nimbu to rub yellow teeth. Within week it will get original white color again.

Boil Ama bark in water to prepare decoction. Gargle with this decoction once in a day. It will protect your tonsils and also stop further decay of teeth. In place of Ama bark you can use other options like Neem leaf decoction, Jam leaf decoction, Munga leaf decoction etc.” The Healer said and then demonstrated country method of Jal Neti suggested by modern Yoga experts. The patient learnt the process of Jal Neti carefully. “It will protect you from all respiratory troubles.” The Healer informed.

“For dark circle around eyes, best remedy is fresh cow ghee. Gently massage it on spots. It will be better to search its root cause. As you are having problem of poor sleep, I feel that good sleep will solve this problem. You can use this pure ghee to massage your private part for better sexual performances.

Follow these suggestions up to one month sincerely and then come back to me, I will add or delete new recommendations as per need.” The Healer said.

“But what about diet? I was advised by many experts to stop using sugar and salt.” The patient asked. “Take normal diet and also sugar and salt. In limit there is no harm and you know excess of every thing is bad.” The Healer replied.

“You have suggested very less to him. You can add medicinal rice to traditional pulses and wild tubers in his diet. You said nothing about bare foot walking or tree shade therapy. Why?” I asked to the Healer.

“Although the measures suggested by me is simple looking for you but for beginners these are difficult. Instead of suggesting so many things in first meeting I prefer to proceed step by step. By adopting these measures sincerely, he will feel and see lot of improvement in general health.” The Healer explained.

One month after this meeting yesterday the patient visited to me again with good health. The effects were visible. Now we are planning to meet the Healer again.    

© Pankaj Oudhia