Summary: Residents of Devgaon village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district are struggling with repeated langur intrusions into homes, kitchens and agricultural fields. A viral video showing two dead langurs has sparked allegations of illegal killings, prompting a Forest Department investigation.
Devgaon Village Struggles With a Growing Langur Problem
Devgaon, a village in Chhattisgarh’s Bemetara district, has been facing a persistent langur problem, with residents reporting damage to property, raids on kitchens and disruptions to everyday life. The issue has drawn attention after a video showing two dead langurs circulated on social media, triggering allegations that several animals had been shot.
According to a report published by The Indian Express on October 13, 2026, villagers claim that hundreds of langurs enter the village on an average day. The settlement has around 600 residents, many of whom have resorted to improvised measures to protect their homes and food supplies.
The incident has also raised concerns about wildlife protection and the difficulties of managing human-animal conflict in rural areas. However, the allegation that 22 langurs were killed remains unverified, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
Why Are Langurs Entering Homes and Farms?
Residents of Devgaon say the problem has continued for nearly a decade, with the situation becoming particularly difficult in recent years. According to villagers, langurs climb onto rooftops, enter kitchens, move across roads and raid agricultural fields.
For some households, protecting food has become a daily responsibility. Residents reportedly take turns guarding kitchens with sticks to prevent the animals from entering. Langurs have also damaged parts of houses, while their movement across rooftops has created concerns for families with young children and elderly members.
One resident, Bhagwat Prasad Jaiswal, told The Indian Express that langurs had been climbing onto his roof for the past four to five years and had even damaged a wall. His family has since placed thorny branches over parts of the roof in an attempt to keep the animals away.
The situation illustrates how repeated wildlife intrusions can affect more than agricultural production. They can also disrupt household routines, create safety concerns and force residents to spend time and resources protecting their property.
Habitat Loss May Be Contributing to the Conflict
The reasons behind langurs entering human settlements can vary, but changes in land use and the availability of natural habitats are important factors in human-wildlife conflict.
Mansoor Khan, a lawyer and member of the Central Government’s Project Elephant Steering Committee, told The Indian Express that changes in agricultural land and the removal of trees along field boundaries may have reduced habitat available to the animals.
Traditionally, trees and vegetation along field boundaries can provide shelter and movement routes for wildlife. When these areas disappear, animals may find themselves moving closer to villages in search of food, shelter or suitable routes between habitats.
However, the available reporting does not establish that habitat loss is the sole cause of Devgaon’s langur problem. A detailed ecological assessment would be needed to determine the specific factors driving the animals into the settlement.
The situation also points to a broader challenge for rural communities. Protecting crops and homes while maintaining safe spaces for wildlife requires coordinated action by residents, local administrations and forest authorities.
Viral Video Sparks Allegations of Langur Killings
The issue escalated after a video from Devgaon showed two dead langurs lying in an open area. In the video, a villager accused a hired guard of shooting the animals and claimed that 22 langurs had been killed.
The person who raised the allegation, Jagdish Manikpuri, reportedly told The Indian Express that he had been informed about the deaths, visited the location and saw the two carcasses. He acknowledged that he did not have evidence to substantiate his broader claim that 22 langurs had been killed.
Other villagers denied that a mass killing had taken place. Some residents said they had instructed the guard not to use a gun against the animals.
The distinction between the confirmed discovery of two dead langurs and the unverified claim about 22 deaths is important. The total number of animals killed, the circumstances of their deaths and the possible involvement of individuals must be established through the investigation.
According to the report, forest officials seized the guard’s firearm and sent the two carcasses for post-mortem examination. The findings are expected to help investigators establish how the animals died.
Why Did the Village Hire a Guard?
With repeated intrusions continuing, Devgaon residents decided to hire a guard approximately three months before the controversy emerged. The report describes this as the second time in around a decade that the village had adopted such a measure.
The guard, Kalam Pardhi, reportedly belongs to a neighbouring village and was assigned to patrol the settlement between 8 am and 5 pm. According to villagers, the arrangement was intended to drive away langurs and prevent them from entering homes and damaging property.
Residents reportedly contributed two kilograms of rice per household each month towards the arrangement.
Village sarpanch Sonbai Dhruv said the community had been struggling with the problem and felt that employing a guard was necessary. However, authorities raised questions about the process used to appoint him.
Additional Superintendent of Police Harish Yadav told The Indian Express that hiring a guard required permission from the district collector, which had not been obtained.
The controversy has exposed the risks of relying on informal arrangements to manage wildlife. Without official guidance, residents may adopt measures that are ineffective, unsafe or potentially unlawful.
What Does Indian Wildlife Protection Law Say?
Grey langurs are protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, according to the reporting on the Devgaon incident. Hunting, capturing or harming protected wildlife can attract legal consequences under applicable provisions of the law.
This means that frustration over crop damage or property intrusion does not give residents an unrestricted right to kill the animals.
The legal position also makes the ongoing investigation important. Authorities need to establish the cause of death, identify any responsible individuals and determine whether an offence has occurred.
Forest officials said they generally respond to complaints by reaching the affected location, capturing animals where appropriate and releasing them in forest areas. Officials also noted that residents sometimes employ guards without informing the department.
For communities facing recurring wildlife problems, contacting the local Forest Department is a safer and more appropriate first step than independently arranging potentially dangerous interventions.
Residents should avoid provoking, chasing or attempting to capture langurs themselves, particularly when animals are moving in groups or entering occupied homes.
What Could Help Prevent Future Human-Wildlife Conflict?
Devgaon’s experience highlights the need for solutions that protect both residents and wildlife. Short-term deterrents may help in specific circumstances, but lasting improvements require an assessment of why animals repeatedly enter the settlement.
Forest authorities and local administrations can evaluate recurring entry points, identify damaged habitat corridors and develop suitable response plans. Measures may include restoring vegetation where appropriate, protecting food and waste from easy access, and establishing clear procedures for reporting wildlife intrusions.
Public awareness is equally important. Residents need to know whom to contact when animals enter homes, how to keep children at a safe distance and why attempts to injure wildlife can create further risks.
Any proposed intervention should be based on local ecological conditions and guidance from qualified wildlife officials. A solution that works in one village may not be suitable for another.
For Devgaon, the immediate priorities are to establish the facts surrounding the deaths, address residents’ safety concerns and develop an authorised plan for managing future encounters.
The larger question is how rural communities can protect their livelihoods without causing harm to protected wildlife. Resolving that challenge will require sustained coordination rather than temporary arrangements alone.
Key Takeaways
- Devgaon in Bemetara district has reported recurring langur intrusions into homes, kitchens and agricultural fields.
- A viral video showed two dead langurs, while the allegation that 22 animals were killed remains unverified.
- The Forest Department seized a firearm and sent the two carcasses for post-mortem examination, according to the October 13 report.
- Grey langurs are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, making official wildlife management and investigation essential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where is the langur problem occurring in Chhattisgarh?
The incident concerns Devgaon village in Bemetara district, approximately 100 kilometres from Raipur, the state capital.
2. How many langurs were reportedly killed?
Two dead langurs were shown in a viral video. A villager alleged that 22 had been killed, but that figure has not been independently established. Authorities are investigating the deaths.
3. Are langurs protected under Indian law?
Yes. Grey langurs are listed under Schedule II of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. Hunting or harming protected animals can lead to legal action under applicable provisions.
4. What should villagers do when langurs enter their homes?
Residents should keep children at a safe distance, avoid provoking or attempting to capture the animals, secure accessible food and contact the local Forest Department for assistance.
