Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Forest, Environment and Climate Change Department issued new guidelines for rescue and release of snakes from human settlements by snake handlers.
As per the guidelines, only certified snake handlers will be permitted to carry out all snake rescue and release operations in Odisha, by following the guidelines, failing which penal actions will be undertaken as per the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Rescue of snakes shall be attempted only in those cases where their presence is a threat to human life such as when they are found indoors or in close proximity to human habitation.
The guidelines read that snake rescue work must be confined to instances wherein the snakes have entered human dwellings, regardless of whether they are venomous or non-venomous species.
Odisha Forest Department may use the services of certified snake handlers to create awareness in the local population on the ecological importance of snakes, identification of snakes and how to avoid snakebites.
The certified snake handlers are volunteers and Odisha Forest Department will not have any obligation for effecting any payment towards their services, the department informed.
Any individual who obstructs the completion of rescue by a certified snake handler is liable to penal action. Creating mob panic, showing off the rescued snake(s) publicly and any other public display with the snakes, even by the snake handler himself, will be liable to penal action.
PNN