In the narrow, winding lanes of Shyambazar, a handful of monkeys still make their presence felt. Once abundant across Old Dhaka, their numbers have sharply declined, leaving only a few to navigate the congested streets in search of food.
These urban monkeys now depend largely on human handouts. Chips, bananas, and other snacks are frequently snatched from local shops, prompting shopkeepers to chase them away. Natural foraging opportunities have nearly vanished.
For decades, these monkeys have lived alongside Dhaka’s residents, silently witnessing the city’s transformation – from tree-lined lanes and open courtyards to a maze of concrete towers and narrow streets. Their presence is a living testament to the city’s history, a connection to a time when urban wildlife was an everyday sight.
Yet with continued urban expansion and human neglect, the remaining monkeys face an uncertain future. Once a common sight, they may soon survive only in memory, a fading thread in the fabric of Old Dhaka’s rich cultural and historical landscaping. Dense concrete, towering buildings, and the loss of trees and open spaces have all but destroyed their habitats, forcing them to rely on humans for survival.
