Journalism of Courage
There are numerous snake rescuers in Pune district,who are working either individually or are associated with some organisation. Each one has got his own way of rescuing and rehabilitating snakes. But since snakes are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972),the reptiles should be rescued and rehabilitated in co-ordination with the local forest officer, says Ram Bhutkar,one of the experts who anchored an event held recently at Sus Village near Katraj. Over 300 snake rescuers from Pune district attended the event that was jointly organised by Wild Animals and Snake Protection Society,The Group of Snake Friend and Pune District Wild Animal and Snake Protection Organisation.
The event aimed to gather all the snake rescuers under one umbrella and educate them with the know-hows that can bring about uniformity in the manner they operate,whether individually or along with some organisation. Besides Bhutkar,who is the founder president of Sarpa Vishwa,other experts who participated in the event included Varad Giri,deputy director of Bombay Natural History Society (Mumbai) and a conservationist and Anil Khaire,director of Kavyatri Bahinabai Chaudhari Pakshi Udyan.
The programme,which went on for around seven hours,saw experts discussing several relevant facts. For instance,Giri stated that all snake rescuers should document their observations because it plays an important role in conservation. Similarly,Khaire pointed out that every rescuer should carry at least one anti-snake venom serum injection to use in case of a mishap. In case a snake like common krait,which is active only at night,is rescued,it should not be left during the day time because it will not be able to protect itself and might get caught by some snake catcher,Khaire added.
Bhutkar shares there have been several instances in the past wherein snake rescuers have been bitten by venomous snakes,leading to the loss of a limb and sometimes even death. Considering the high level of risk involved in the job of snake rescuing,in 2008,the forest minister had announced that every snake rescuer should get a life insurance with Rs 10 lakh cover. However,no step was taken after that. Now,since all of us have come together,we plan to meet the concerned officials about the matter, says Bhutkar.
