DAILY NEWS AND ANALYSIS (Mumbai, India) 31 October 07 Forest dept to make ‘hiss’tory (Ashwin Aghor)
Mumbai: State forest department will organise the first-ever state-level convention of snake-catchers at Aurangabad on January 6, 2008. The convention is aimed at creating awareness about snakes and their importance.
Around 500 snake-catchers from all over the state are expected to attend the convention where participants will be trained in implementation of laws pertaining to protection of snakes, precautions to be taken when catching and releasing snakes, and first-aid and treatment for snake bites.
Environmentalist Rajesh Thombre, who is helping the forest department organise the convention, said, “Snakes play a vital role in the ecosystem, and are specifically useful for farmers. Ironically, a majority of snake bites are reported by farmers.”
Numerous myths surrounding the otherwise tranquil reptile are also responsible for the dwindling number of snakes. Usually, people’s first reaction on encountering a snake is to kill it, regardless of it being poisonous or not. Of all the species of snakes in India, only the cobra, common krait, saw-scaled viper, Russell’s viper, coral snake and green pit viper are poisonous.
Volunteers who rescue snakes often face difficulties in their work. “They are not given proper guidance and training in catching snakes. At times, they are subjected to legal action by the Forest Department as snakes are protected under the Wildlife Protection Act,” Thombre said.
Forest dept to make ‘hiss’tory