Ssssss! Help at hand
BIBUTHI MISHRA
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Finally a helpline for snakes!
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K. V. Srinivasan
Dispel myths about snakes.
Whether it is protection from or to snakes the "Sarpa Surakhya Abhijana" (Protect the Snakes Mission) is just a telephone call away in Bhubaneswar, Orissa. "Earlier, people used to kill snakes. Now, they prefer to call us instead," say Pratyush Mohapatra and Subhendu Mallick, members of the Sarpa Surakhya Abhijan, a five-member non-governmental organisation — perhaps the first snakes' helpline in the country!
"Protect the Snakes Campaign" was launched in 2002 at the Utkal University. The five members are Mohapatra, a Ph.D. scholar in zoology, whose subject is "Snakes in Orissa", Mallick, M.Sc. from Orissa University of Agriculture and Technology, Shiva Prasad Parida, a Ph.D. student in zoology, Ashok Kumar Mallick, an M.Phil student and Cuckoo Mohapatra, an M.Sc. student in zoology all from Utkal University.
They have now obtained permission from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Department of Forests, Government of Orissa to continue with their efforts to catch snakes and release them in their natural habitat. They share a motto, "Let us let the snakes live". All snakes are not poisonous; only 40 per cent are poisonous and of that only 40 per cent can be fatal, they say revealing that while 300-400 people die of snakebites, thousands of snakes are killed unnecessarily.
Create awareness
"The university campus is full of snakes. The students, particularly the residents of the hostels, used to kill them. So, we decided to start our campaign within university campus," said Pratyush.
Besides rescuing snakes and releasing them into their natural habitat, the team also spreads awareness about myths associated with snakes. "We advise people to rush to a hospital after a snake bite instead of getting help from temple priests," said Subhendu. The team plans to set up a snake rescue and interpretation centre and involve snake charmers in the mission. They feel that the campaign can continue without problems if snake charmers are involved. It will give them a chance to rehabilitate themselves.
Helpline
The snakes' helpline has started getting calls from people in Bhubaneswar. The guide for the group is Dr. Sushil Dutta, a reptiles expert from North Orissa University. There have been stray accidents when they have been bitten. But they are prepared and trained to rescue snakes and vipers.
The State Forest Department has given them permission to rescue and treat snakes at Nandankanan zoo hospital about 12 km away from Bhubaneswar. There is need for setting up a snake rehabilitation centre too.
The objective of the students' body is good — prevent killing of snakes, maintain ecological balance, and create awareness about snakes' behaviour because snakes are useful for preparing anti-venom and in controlling the rodent population thus helping agriculture.
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