Arghakhanchi, July 25 -- Facing mounting complaints from farmers over crop damage caused by monkeys, the Division Forest Office in Arghakhanchi has selected 26 'monkey watchers' to protect maize fields in areas worst affected by human-wildlife conflict.

The office had initially sought applications for 20 watchers, announcing a three-day application window on Wednesday. By Friday, 70 people, including two women, had applied for the temporary positions.

Applicants were required to be locals from monkey-affected areas and capable of driving away monkeys from farms. Following the high demand and the extent of crop damage reported from several areas, the office increased the number of selected watchers from 20 to 26.

"We had called for 20 m...