Roni Antony & Sarthak Kanjilall
Port Blair, Dec 04: Nearly 4000 snakes were rescued, captured and shifted in the last 04 years, only at Port city, which according to Mr Naveen Kumar (IFS), Deputy Conservator of Forest, South Andaman is an encouraging sign, as people rather than killing the snake, look after snake’s safety as well.
Talking to Andaman Sheekha recently, Mr Naveen said that the people are now aware and immediately after sighting a snake, calls the nearest Forest Site Office under Range Office Protection Team for rescuing the snakes, that helps to maintain a balance in ecology.
Mr Naveen further said that Andaman being a native of many poisonous snakes like Cobra, King Cobra, Andaman Cobra, Krait, Pit Viper Et cetera, the ratio of snake attacks is almost zero but still he said that antivenin is always available in the PHCs, if, in case someone becomes a victim of snake attack.
However, the DCF clarified that Forest Department don’t have the authority to have the antivenin or antivenom. “Our onus is to take care of the immediate danger that may happen through snakes to public,” Mr Naveen added.
He further added that every division of the Forest Department has a snake handling unit and on call they will reach immediately for rescue. Mr Naveen also informed the public to call at 224295 on sighting a snake. Finally, Mr Naveen thanked the general public for all their cooperation in protecting snakes from danger as well as taking care of their own safety, at this time.
