Cherpu: The enhance within the variety of government-licensed rescuers turns into a boon for snakes. The traditional observe of battering a snake to dying as quickly as individuals spot it’s steadily ending. Earlier, there have been solely 4 or 5 licensed snake-catchers in every district however now, greater than two thousand individuals have secured licences within the state. 200 ladies, together with Kristelle Hart, a foreigner from Ernakulam are included on this record.
The Sarpa App (Snake Awareness Rescue and Protection App) which was launched in 2021 by the Wildlife Trust of India for defense of snakes, elevating consciousness and guaranteeing the protection of individuals has led to a big change, Y. Mohammed Ansar, Assistant wildlife conservator and state nodal officer of Sarpa app stated.
The spreading of consciousness that killing snakes is against the law that’s punishable by legislation additionally helped. Forest division coach and rescuer Joju Mukutukkara stated that by way of the pages of consultants on social media, persons are capable of be taught extra about snakes. It additionally helps in expelling some concern that folks have.
As per the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, killing snakes is punishable with a effective amounting to Rs 25,000 or imprisonment for 3 years. Killing of pythons (perumpambu) is a Schedule 1 punishment with imprisonment for six years or effective. Indian rat snakes (chera), cobra (moorkan), Russell’s Viper (anali), Asiatic water snake (neerkoli), King Cobra (rajavembala), and so forth are included within the second schedule.
Yearly knowledge of snakes reported and rescued
| Year | Snake (rescued in brackets) | Total |
| 2021 | King cobra (54), python (1159), cobra (1537), others (1703) | 4453 |
| 2022 | King cobra (81), python (1768), cobra (27972297), others (2297) | 6943 |
| 2023 | King cobra (82), python (2568), cobra (3428), others (2902) | 8980 |
Number of individuals skilled (District-wise)
| District | People Trained |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 64 |
| Kollam | 53 |
| Pathanamthitta | 65 |
| Alappuzha | 26 |
| Kottayam | 150 |
| Ernakulam | 105 |
| Idukki | 149 |
| Thrissur | 120 |
| Palakkad | 181 |
| Malappuram | 212 |
| Kozhikode | 135 |
| Wayanad | 127 |
| Kannur | 103 |
| Kasaragod | 142 |
