Chandigarh, April 5 -- In Chandigarh's northern sectors, once celebrated for their open layouts and architectural uniformity, residents are being forced into a defensive redesign of their homes. Grills, nets, and reinforced barriers are no longer aesthetic choices; they are essential fortifications against an increasingly assertive monkey population.

Residents across sectors report that monkeys routinely scale rooftops, invade balconies, and damage property. "They tear clothes, destroy plants, and defecate right outside our doors. It feels unsafe, especially for children," says Ritu Nanda, a Sector 15A resident. The problem is prevalent in Sectors 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 15A, and 26.

Navya Kataria, a resident of Sector 13, Manimajra, added tha...