KANTIPUR (Kathmandu, Nepal) 22 September 06 Country's first snake farm in Bara (Upendra Lamichanne)
Nijgadh (Bara): Snake farming has become the latest attraction in the central Terai district of Bara that is otherwise famous for rice and maze cultivation.
After the government implemented wildlife domestication, breeding and research policy 2060, Development Vision Nepal (DVN) --a non-government organization-- began commercially farming snakes in Jeetpur of the district since last June. This is probably the first commercial snake farm in the country.
Snake venom, meat and skin have a huge demand in the international market. "These goods are exported to many European and Asian countries and Australia," said DVN's Director Ishwor Neupane, adding, "Snake venom is priceless in the international market and the meat sells from around Rs 2,000 per kilo."
Neupane also opines that if the government comes out with a favorable policy for snake farming, anti snake venom could be produced in the country and exported elsewhere. According to a survey, Nepal imports anti snake venom worth around 10 million rupees from India every year. Also, around 200 people die in Nepal each year due to snakebite. Unavailability of anti snake venom has always been a major problem in rural areas.
Currently, DVN has been operating 10 'snake collection centers' in Jeetpur, Dumarbana and Phattepur VDCs of the district. Seven of the centers collect female snakes while the rest collect male snakes. DVN has employed three people who are local snake charmers in order to collect snakes from Chitwan National Park and Parsa Wildlife Reserve.
"We feed the snakes chicken, frogs and meat," said employee Bashir Miya. According to him, once the snakes are fed they do not eat anything for a week and sometimes even for a month. "They (snakes) need water from time to time and need a stroll every day," he said.
The reptiles are also bred at the centers. "After taking the snakes to the center, we bring the male and female together after some time for breeding. The eggs are delicate and need special care," another employee at DVN, Rafik Miya said.
Most families of the local Nat community earn their living by performing snake shows and are excited about the snake farming business.
Country's first snake farm in Bara