The district Forest Department rescued more than 50 local species of snakes from dozens of snake charmers on Friday. Forest personnel released the rescued snakes at their natural habitatin Nagaghat and other dense forest areas.

It may be mentioned that taking a serious note on increasing atrocity on snakes for their display and worship on the pious occasion of Naag Panchami, District Forest Department started campaign against snake charmers.

SDO, District Forest Department, Anjana Suchita Tirkey informed that in order to put-up a strict check on snake charming, separate teams comprised of forest personnel apart from local staff were constituted under the supervision of concerned officers and Sarp Mitra (wildlife activists) conducted a rigorous patrolling through the district specially in rural areas.

The teams rescued above 50 snakes from snake charmers from different areas in the city. The rescued snakes were medically examined. There was some of the snakes found injured which was sent at Veterinary College for treatment. Other rescued snakes were sent for medical check-up and were released at dense forest areas Naga Ghati, Amjhar Ghati, Bargi, Kundam and other forest areas.

SDO, Anjana Suchita Tirkey informed that the Forest Department started a campaign against snake charmers who are involved in atrocity on snakes right from the eve of Nag Panchami festival. Snake charmers are habitual of capturing snakes from forest fringes, stitch their mouth and kept them foodless for several days for fetching money through their demonstration and worship on the occasion of Nag Panchami.