BBMP’s forest cell’s hands full

The BBMP’s Forest Cell and Paramedic Centre were busy on Saturday as they received a number of calls from residents to catch snakes and treat people bitten by them on Saturday.

They received 22 calls from the north-east section alone. Four snake bite cases were reported from there. The wildlife experts said the cases are reported because this is the breeding season for snakes.

“This is why the snake spotting has reached an alarming proportion. Due to rapid urbanisation, the rise in man-animal conflict has also reached an all time high here,” they observed.

The Forest Cell gets about 150 calls a day seeking help from snake catchers. But there are only 33 snake catchers and rescuers in the cell to keep a vigil in BBMP’s 198 wards. The calls are more from the newly added wards which comes up to 65.

“I have been getting non-stop calls since early morning and I covered three areas on and rescued six snakes, all spectacle cobras. This is the breeding season and one should not be surprised if they spot any moving  creature anywhere. I attended four snake bite cases and rescued the snake as well. The victims are being treated at various hospitals,” said Mohan, a wildlife volunteer.

Bangalore, spread across over 857 km  geographically, is a hub of reptiles and other wild animals. Wildlife enthusiast and volunteer former Deputy Mayor S Harish, observed that the rise in population has made humans to encroach into the animals’ areas.

“We have gone into their territory, and now we complain about them being spotted in our homes. The only way out now is to learn to co-exist with reptiles. We have to seriously consider the service of the snake catchers and rescuers,” he said.

He noted that a campaign will be carried out in his ward and he will ask the Mayor to conduct a campaign to create awareness among people not to panick and kill the snakes, if spotted. 

Risk not recognised

However, the BBMP’s Forest Cell is not satisfied with the kind of treatment which is being meted out to its rescuers.

“Despite our efforts which are risky, we do not get paid well. What is shocking is that fact that, out of 33, six officials who are employed on the basis of monthly honorarium, have not got a single penny from the BBMP. We have to toil without question since it involves life and death of both humans and poor creatures, but our efforts are not considered. We are yet to get monthly honourarium of Rs 8,000. This amount is pending for almost a year,” said Sharat Babu, a wildlife warden, BBMP Forest Cell and Paramedic Centre.

BBMP control room’s contact number for wildlife rescue and rehabilitation is 080-22221188.