Govt. issues guidelines for rescue & release of snakes

Bhubaneswar: The Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department of the Odisha government has issued a set of guidelines for rescue and release of snakes from areas inhabited by humans.

In this regard, letters have been issued to the Additional Special Relief Commissioner, PCCF of the Forest Department, PCCF of Wildlife Division, the Managing Director of OSDMA, all the RCCFs, Collectors and DFOs.

According to the new guidelines, only certified snake handlers can participate in the rescue and release operations and they are required to adhere strictly to the stipulated protocols, failing which will invite penal actions as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The intervention to save snakes will only be undertaken in situations where their presence poses a risk to human life, such as when they are found indoors or in close proximity to human habitation. The snake rescue work should be confined to instances wherein the snakes have entered human dwellings, regardless of whether they are of venomous or non-venomous species.

It further said that these handlers are volunteers and will not receive remuneration for their services from the Odisha Forest Department, which may also use their services to create awareness in the local population on the ecological importance of snakes, identification of snakes and how to avoid snakebites.

Any individual who obstructs the efforts of a certified snake handler during a rescue operation may face legal repercussions. Creating public panic, publicly exhibiting the rescued snake(s), or any other form of public display involving snakes, even if conducted by the snake handler, will attract legal penalties.

Notably, Odisha has been witnessing 1,000 deaths annually due to snakebite for the last five years. Till July this year, snakebite incidents have claimed at least 34 lives, including three children in Keonjhar.