Visakhapatnam: The snake is universally recognized to generate concern amongst folks, a lot in order that they kill snakes even when a snake is non-poisonous. But here’s a teenager from north coastal Andhra Pradesh, who isn’t solely fascinated by snakes however has taken it upon himself to guard the reptile from indiscriminate killing and assist in its conservation by producing consciousness about methods to mitigate human-snake conflicts.
Animal lover from a young age
Meet 15-year-old Sampath Kantimahanti from Srikakulam, and his venture ‘Snake Speek’ to convey consciousness to the lifetime of snakes and their significance.
Sampath’s journey into wildlife and snake conservation started with a need to make a constructive affect, impressed by his father. Having misplaced his mom on the age of 5, Sampath discovered solace and function in wildlife conservation. Right from eight years of age, he was a scholar volunteer for an animal conservation organisation referred to as Green Mercy.
What is Sampath planning with Snake Speek?
Asked concerning the distinctive identify of his initiative, Sampath stated, “Even though ‘Speek’ does not have a literal, dictionary meaning, I used it instead of the similar-sounding word ‘Speak’ to grab attention. To me, it suggests speaking, associating and advocating for snakes.”
“The primary objective of the project is to raise awareness among students, young people, and conflict-facing communities such as farmers about the importance of snakes in our ecosystem and the necessity for wildlife conservation. The project aims to instil a sense of responsibility and empathy towards wildlife, including snakes, thereby fostering a positive change in societal attitudes and behaviours,” he added.
So far, since its inception final yr, Sampath has addressed tons of of faculty college students and visited greater than 30 villages to teach and generate consciousness.
Around 58,000 annual snakebite deaths in India
“Last year, after participating in an educational programme hosted by the NGO where I was volunteering, it felt so good to see a lot of students interested in nature. I thought about starting a project of my own focusing on snake conservation. Additionally, through volunteering with various animal welfare organisations such as Green Mercy, Save Snakes Society and Eastern Ghats Wildlife Society and engaging with different communities, I gained insight into the root cause of conflicts between humans and snakes, including snake bites. With nearly 58,000 snake bite deaths occurring in India annually (as per the Million Death Global Study), it became evident that lack of knowledge played a significant role. Therefore, I also started community outreach programmes to address this issue,” stated Sampath.
Public consciousness via academic programmes, group outreach
Elaborating on his conservation initiative, Sampath stated, “These programmes focus on educating and motivating communities facing human-snake conflicts, such as farmers and villagers. We guide preventive measures such as using protective wear and torch lights at night to avoid snake bites. Furthermore, we endeavour to change people’s perceptions by emphasising the importance of snakes and dispelling the notion that all snakes are venomous and should be killed.
In fact, in India, just a few varieties of snakes are venomous. These include Indian Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, Russel’s Viper and Saw-Scaled Viper.” The Eastern Ghats area is home to many species of snakes however hardly any are harmful.
“To make students and others understand this topic easily, we are reaching out to them with awareness programmes in educational institutes which include effective interactive presentations, conducting games, showcasing educational videos etc. and discussions aimed at disseminating information about snake conservation and the significance of biodiversity.”
“We are also conducting live demonstrations (in the presence of professionals) to make students understand the natural behaviour of a snake and clear all myths and negative perceptions associated with the reptile. By educating the youth and students, we are empowering them to effectively manage situations involving snake bites in their villages. The final goal is to eliminate their fear,” knowledgeable Sampath.
“In addition to educational institutions, we also conduct outreach programmes targeted at conflict-facing communities such as farming communities, shepherd communities, and villagers. The project team engages directly with community members, facilitating dialogue, and providing valuable insights into harmoniously coexisting with snakes and other wildlife,” he defined.
Mission goal of Snake Speek
The venture anticipates a number of constructive outcomes:
Increased Awareness: By reaching out to college students, young folks, and conflict-facing communities, the venture goals to extend consciousness concerning the significance of snakes within the ecosystem and the broader context of wildlife conservation.
Behavioural Change: Through training and engagement, the venture seeks to foster a constructive change in societal attitudes and behavior in the direction of snakes and wildlife. This could embrace lowering snake persecution and improved coexistence between people and snakes.
