Odisha Issues Guidelines For Rescue and Release of Snakes From Human Dominated Areas

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government has issued a new set of guidelines for rescue and release of snakes from the human dominated areas by snake handlers. According to the new guidelines, only the state government certified snake handlers are allowed to carry out snake rescue and release operations in the State.

Rescue of snakes shall be attempted only in such cases where their presence is a threat to life such as inside the house or in close vicinity of its presence is life threatening. Rescue of snakes must be limited to snakes entering human habitation irrespective of whether venomous or non-venomous.

The 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 snake bites. The certified snake Handlers are volunteers and Odisha Forest Department will not have any obligation for effecting any payment towards their services. Any one causing hindrance to completion of rescue by a Certified snake Handler, as per these guidelines, 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.