Arecanut crop damage: Troops of monkeys raid plantations in Sirsi taluk, destroying ripe and tender nuts as farmers struggle to guard crops against heavy losses. Sirsi: The growing menace of monkeys in forest-covered Sirsi taluk has left arecanut growers distressed.Troops of monkeys are raiding plantations in major arecanut-growing areas, damaging ripe and tender arecanuts, banana plants and pepper vines.