Nature enthusiast Elsani Santosh Babu’s relentless pursuit of rescuing snakes in the coal belt region made him a household name. His skills have made him the most-sought after man in the vast coal belt region which is considered more prone to stray snakes because of the environmental degradation, the leading cause for loss of the natural habitat of the reptile population.
Santosh, a post-graduate in Social Work, is spearheading a vigorous campaign under the aegis of “Pranadhara Charitable Trust” to sensitise people on the critical role of snakes in conserving the ecosystem, busting myths about snakes and thereby the human-wildlife conflict.
He, along with other volunteers rescued more than 2800 snakes of various species including the non-venomous Sand Boa to the most venomous King Cobra in Kothagudem, Palvancha and its adjoining mandals in the past decade. He had released all the rescued snakes into forest areas in consultation with the forest department personnel concerned.
His untiring efforts to conserve nature won him several awards including the best social worker and best wildlife protector awards from the district administration. “I make it a point to promptly respond to the calls on my mobile number 9491543291 to rush to the aid of people in need of my services,” said Santosh, son of a retired coal worker at the Singareni Collieries Company Limited.
“I had rescued a cobra from the rack of a coal miner at VK-7 underground mine and two snakes from the SCCL’s bungalow presently housing the Collector’s residence in Kothagudem over a week ago,” he said. “Snakes will never harm anyone unless disturbed, he said, adding that snakes act as natural predators of rats and insects. Snake venom is used in preparation of several life-saving drugs.”
“I would like to spread the Pranadhara Trust activities to other parts of the district to help conserve the ecosystem and prevent human-snake conflict,” he said.
